https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

IRAS Ananth Rupanagudi’s 27-Year Odyssey with Indian Railways | Exclusive Interview

Mr Rupanagudi is an amateur railway historian and a vocal advocate for responsible travel. He urges passengers to minimise littering, suggesting practical measures like carrying newspapers to keep berths clean. Watch the interview… 
Indian Masterminds Stories

Ananth Rupanagudi, a distinguished officer of the Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS), serves as the Financial Advisor at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai. With over 27 years of service, Mr Rupanagudi has become a cornerstone of financial management within Indian Railways, overseeing tenders worth crores and driving transparency through digital platforms like EPS. His pivotal role in the production of iconic trains, such as the Vande Bharat, underscores his professional prowess. In an exclusive video interview with Indian Masterminds, Mr Rupanagudi has shared his passion for history, travel, and social media humour, painting a portrait of a multifaceted individual deeply connected to India’s cultural and railway heritage. 

WATCH THE INTERVIEW HERE 

Mr Rupanagudi’s journey began in 1997 when he joined the IRAS after clearing the Civil Services Examination. His training at the National Academy of Administration in Nagpur and the National Institute of Financial Management in Faridabad equipped him with the financial acumen needed for railway operations. Posted across cities like Kolkata, Nagpur, Bilaspur, Pune, Mumbai, and now Chennai, he has embraced the diverse tapestry of India. His longest stint in Bilaspur, lasting over seven years, was particularly formative, fostering lifelong friendships and professional growth in one of Indian Railways’ highest-earning divisions.

As a financial steward, Mr Rupanagudi addresses the challenges of maintaining India’s vast railway infrastructure. He highlights the systemic constraints—limited infrastructure, delayed maintenance, and land acquisition hurdles—that lead to service deficiencies like train delays. “When you run numerous trains on limited infrastructure, delays are inevitable,” he explains, emphasising the need for expanded lines and timely maintenance to ensure safety. His work at ICF, particularly with the Vande Bharat project, reflects a commitment to modernising Indian Railways while balancing speed and safety.

Beyond his official duties, Mr Rupanagudi is an amateur railway historian and a vocal advocate for responsible travel. He urges passengers to minimise littering, suggesting practical measures like carrying newspapers to keep berths clean. His social media presence, particularly on X, where he shares “lunchtime laughter” and historical snippets, connects him with a broader audience. Starting with SMS-era jokes on Facebook in 2008 and becoming active on Twitter in 2015, he uses humor to foster camaraderie and cultural insights to celebrate India’s diversity. “Our rich cultural inheritance—temples, cuisine, architecture—defines our patriotism,” he says, reflecting on his travels across 25 states.

A proud alumnus of Ferguson College, Pune, where he studied history, IRAS Ananth Rupanagudi’s love for India’s heritage informs his advocacy for railway colonies as green, community-driven spaces. “Railway colonies are among the greenest urban areas, often cooler than the city,” he notes, highlighting their prime locations and vibrant social life. His personal life, enriched by family and friendships forged in railway colonies, complements his professional dedication.

Mr Rupanagudi’s vision for Indian Railways is one of progress tempered by realism. While acknowledging past lags compared to global counterparts like China, he sees initiatives like Vande Bharat as steps toward a modern, efficient railway system. His story is one of financial expertise, cultural pride, and a commitment to improving India’s lifeline—its railways—for future generations.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
NCST Holds Review Meeting with NHPC
NCST Holds Review Meeting with NHPC on Implementation of Safeguards for Scheduled Tribe Employees
MP CM Collector Award Niti Aayog
Sampurnata Abhiyan: Madhya Pradesh Leads NITI Aayog Campaign; Collectors from 8 Districts Win Gold
Mohan Yadav
MP CM Mohan Yadav Pushes for Sustainable, Community-Driven Rural Water Policy; Targets 100% Tap Coverage by March 2027
Ajay Bhadoo IAS
IAS Ajay Bhadoo Gets Extended Term as DGFT - What It Means & His Career Journey
THDCIL_Receives_ABMS_Certification_for_Integrity_and_Transparency
THDC India (THDCIL) Awarded ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Certification by BIS - Details Inside
Ministry of Environment
Environment Ministry Clarifies Petrol Vehicle Tender, Cites E-Vehicle Flexibility
Bokaro Steel Plant
PESB Selects Priya Ranjan to Head Bokaro Steel Plant, SAIL’s Key Production Unit
REC Limited wins ‘Best Design Thinking Award’ at 5th Distinguished NBFC (DNA) Awards
REC Limited Bags ‘Best Design Thinking Award’ at 5th Distinguished NBFC Awards
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr
Resisted Flawed Schemes, Transferred Thrice In Three Months, Found Solace In Writing
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
IAS SVR Srinivas on Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Tough Calls, and the Real Power of IAS Officers | Video Interview
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-08 at 5.25
Dharavi Redevelopment: IAS Minds Turning 100-Year-Old Slum into a Modern City | Video Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Minnu P M
“Lazy, Sleepy, Yet Determined”: Minnu P M’s Honest Take on Cracking UPSC
Minnu PM, once a clerk in Kerala Police, cleared UPSC with AIR 150 after five years of struggle. Her...
IPS Ashish Tiwari
From IIT and Investment Banking to Public Service, Meet IPS Ashish Tiwari 
Ashish Tiwari, IIT graduate and former investment banker, chose public service over global finance. As...
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-12 at 7.27
First Attempt IRS, Fourth Attempt IPS: The Relentless Pursuit of Jitendra Kumar Yadav Who Cracked UPSC 3 Times
IPS Yadav is originally from Chhattisgarh. He was first selected for the IRS through UPSC and later for...
Social Media
Masahiro Hara
From Go Board to Global Use, How QR Codes Changed the World: IRAS Officer Ananth Rupanagudi Spotlights Masahiro Hara’s Vision
IRAS officer Ananth Rupanagudi shared a video on Masahiro Hara, the inventor of QR codes, highlighting...
IFS Susanta Nanda Video
A Mother’s Duty: Tigress Watches Over Cubs Splashing in Waterhole — Heartwarming Video Shared By Retd. IFS Officer Susanta Nanda
A tender wildlife video shared by Retd. IFS officer Susanta Nanda shows a tigress keeping watch over...
Mohanmala
Kaziranga Mourns: Beloved Elephant Mohanmala Passes Away After Five Decades of Service
Kaziranga National Park mourns the loss of Mohanmala, a beloved elephant who served over 50 years as...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
NCST Holds Review Meeting with NHPC
NCST Holds Review Meeting with NHPC on Implementation of Safeguards for Scheduled Tribe Employees
MP CM Collector Award Niti Aayog
Sampurnata Abhiyan: Madhya Pradesh Leads NITI Aayog Campaign; Collectors from 8 Districts Win Gold
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-08 at 5.25
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT