Indian Railways has announced a nationwide digital clock design competition open to professionals, college students, and school students.
The winning design, set to become the face of timekeeping across thousands of railway stations, will be awarded a grand prize of ₹5 lakh and national implementation. The initiative aims to standardise the digital clocks installed across platforms and concourses—critical components of passenger information systems. Entries for the contest are being accepted between May 1 and May 31, and Indian Railways has thrown the doors open to designers and creative thinkers from all walks of life.
This move is part of a broader institutional focus on modernising passenger experience while ensuring inclusive participation from India’s growing design and technology community. “This is more than a design challenge—it is a call to shape how time is seen by millions of daily travellers,” said, Executive Director (Information & Publicity), Railway Board, in an official statement. Participants are required to submit high-resolution digital designs free from watermarks or branding. Each entry must include a brief concept note that outlines the aesthetic, functional and thematic thinking behind the design. Submissions must be original and free of any third-party intellectual property rights violations. Multiple entries are allowed, encouraging a diverse range of ideas from each participant.
Eligibility is divided into three distinct categories: school students (up to class 12), college/university students, and professionals. Valid identification—such as a school ID or college enrolment certificate—is required during submission. Five consolation prizes of ₹50,000 each will be awarded in every category, making the competition both lucrative and democratised. The winning design is expected to reflect not just accuracy and readability but also elements that symbolise India’s diversity, heritage, and push for technological modernisation. In keeping with sustainability goals, Indian Railways is likely to prioritise energy-efficient and eco-friendly display formats for implementation—especially as it continues to pursue zero-carbon ambitions across operations.
Beyond the cash prize and recognition, the opportunity offers the unique distinction of influencing the country’s public infrastructure at scale—serving nearly 23 million passengers daily. At a time when cities are being reshaped with a focus on gender neutrality, inclusivity, and smart mobility, this design exercise opens a powerful channel for public engagement in civic aesthetics. By tapping into the imagination of India’s youth and professionals alike, the railways hope to marry form with function—while building civic pride in shared public systems. This contest represents an intersection of design, public utility, and sustainable innovation, turning what has long been a static piece of hardware into a canvas for national storytelling.
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