Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mention of Vadodara’s ‘Railway University’ during his address in the city has brought attention to an institution that is officially known as Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV). Located in Lalbaug, Vadodara, GSV is a Central University under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India. While it is popularly associated with the railways, its academic focus extends across the wider transportation and logistics sector, including aviation, maritime transport, highways, waterways, supply chains and multi-modal transportation. For students interested in transport, logistics and related technology, the university offers undergraduate, postgraduate and research programmes designed around the changing needs of India’s transportation sector.
From Railway Institute To Gati Shakti University: The university’s origins go back to the National Rail and Transportation Institute (NRTI), which was established in 2018 as a deemed-to-be university focused on transportation education, research and training. NRTI was subsequently converted into a Central University through an Act of Parliament in 2022 and renamed Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya. The university says its purpose is to develop skilled professionals for the transportation and logistics ecosystem through applied education, multidisciplinary research and industry-oriented learning. So, while ‘Railway University’ is a commonly used description, the institution’s official name is Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya.
Where Is Gati Shakti University? GSV is located in Lalbaug, Vadodara, Gujarat – 390004. It operates as a Central University under the Ministry of Railways. Its academic scope covers much more than railway engineering. The university’s stated focus includes railways, aviation, ports, shipping, highways, waterways, logistics and other areas of transportation.
What Can Students Study After Class 12? For the 2026-27 academic year, GSV is offering seven four-year BTech programmes. These include Civil Engineering with a specialisation in Rail Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering with a Rail Engineering specialisation, Mechanical Engineering with a Rail Engineering specialisation and Electrical Engineering with a Rail Engineering specialisation. Students can also opt for BTech in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science with a specialisation in Transportation and Logistics, BTech in Aviation Engineering and BTech in Maritime Engineering. The intake varies across programmes. The Civil, ECE, Mechanical, Electrical and AI and Data Science programmes have 60 seats each, while Aviation Engineering has 40 seats and Maritime Engineering has 30 seats.
How Can Students Get BTech Admission? Students seeking BTech admission at GSV do not have to appear for a separate university entrance examination. For 2026-27, candidates must qualify in JEE Main 2026. Admissions are conducted through JoSAA or CSAB counselling, based on JEE Main scores. GSV’s admission notice specifically states that there is no separate GSV entrance test for BTech admissions. Students therefore need to first appear for JEE Main and then participate in the relevant JoSAA or CSAB counselling process to seek a seat at the university.
How Much Does BTech Cost? For 2026-27, the annual programme fee listed by GSV is Rs 1,76,600 for day scholars and Rs 2,66,200 for hostelers. The first-semester fee is Rs 97,550 for day scholars and Rs 1,42,350 for hostelers. The university has noted that the fees are subject to revision by the competent authority.
What About BSc And BBA? GSV also has separate application routes for BSc and BBA programmes. The university’s current application portal lists BSc/BBA separately from BTech and postgraduate admissions. These programmes trace back to the university’s earlier NRTI phase, when transportation-focused undergraduate programmes such as BSc in Transportation Technology and BBA in Transportation Management were among its offerings. Students interested in these programmes should check the specific admission notification and eligibility requirements for the relevant academic year rather than assuming that the BTech admission process applies to them.
What Can Students Study After Graduation? GSV also offers postgraduate programmes, including MBA courses focused on the transportation and logistics sector. Its current programme list includes MBA options in Logistics and Supply Chain Management and Ports and Shipping Logistics, alongside other specialised management programmes. The MBA in Ports and Shipping Logistics is offered in collaboration with the Indian Maritime University, according to the university’s programme information. For the MBA in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, candidates can use valid scores from examinations including CUET-PG, XAT, CAT or MAT. For the MBA in Ports and Shipping Logistics, the accepted examinations include IMU-CET, CUET-PG, XAT, CAT or MAT. The MBA admission process also includes a personal interview for shortlisted candidates, with the final selection based on multiple components rather than the entrance examination score alone.
Why Is GSV Called A Railway University? The ‘Railway University’ tag comes from the institution’s origins and its close association with Indian Railways. However, its current mandate is considerably broader. GSV describes itself as a university focused on the transportation and logistics sector, with programmes spanning railways, aviation, maritime transport and other modes of transport. Its aim is to create professionals who can work across India’s rapidly evolving transportation ecosystem rather than limiting students to railway-related careers. That broader focus is also reflected in its BTech offerings, where students can choose from rail engineering disciplines as well as aviation, maritime engineering and AI and data science focused on transportation and logistics.
