Western Railway’s Rajat Kundgir, Wins First Prize In 2026 Prime Minister’s Silver Cup Case Study Competition
· Free Press Journal
Rajat Kundgir, IRPFS, Security Commissioner-II, Railway Protection Force (RPF), Mumbai Central, Western Railway, has been awarded the First Prize in the Prime Minister’s Silver Cup Case Study Competition-2026.
According to a press release issued by the Chief Public Relations Officer, Western Railway, Vineet Abhishek, the award function was held at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy, Hyderabad. The award recognises his case study on “Use of AI/ML in Policing – Challenges and Way Forward”, highlighting the role of modern technology in strengthening railway security across Mumbai Central Division.
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Govind Mohan, Union Home Secretary, presented Kundgir with a replica of the Prime Minister’s Silver Cup, Gold medal, certificate and cash award on the eve of the IPS Passing Out Parade at the Academy.
The competition, conducted annually by the Academy, is open to serving police and security personnel from State and Union Territory Police forces, Central Police Organisations and Central Armed Police Forces. It encourages the documentation of best practices, analytical study and innovative approaches to contemporary policing challenges. Kundgir’s submission underwent a multi-stage evaluation process, including national-level screening and a viva-voce presentation. The jury comprised representatives from the Prime Minister’s Office and Intelligence Bureau, along with journalists, academicians and retired bureaucrats.
The award-winning case study showcased the work undertaken by RPF in Mumbai Central Division, making use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Face Recognition Systems (FRS) and CCTV surveillance. The study highlighted a surveillance network comprising 463 FRS-enabled CCTV cameras, supported by a database containing more than 14,000 criminal dossiers, to enable timely identification of suspects. It is pertinent to mention that the case study reported more than 202 detections through FRS and underscored a 38% reduction in theft of passenger belongings (TOPB) cases at Andheri station. These initiatives demonstrate the role of technology in supporting proactive, intelligence-led policing while strengthening security at railway stations.
This recognition brings pride to Western Railway and the RPF. WR is proud of Rajat’s achievement and congratulates him for showcasing the efforts of RPF personnel in making use of modern technology to prevent crime, improve surveillance and provide a safer travel environment for passengers.