May 07, 2026
By Anjali Kochhar
Indian Railways has initiated the phased rollout of a new workforce verification system powered by artificial intelligence and blockchain technology, named DRISHTI, targeting its vast workforce of approximately 1.2 million employees, one of the largest employer bases globally. The system is designed to improve attendance tracking, enhance operational transparency, and significantly reduce payroll fraud across the organisation.
The deployment has begun in Prayagraj as part of an initial pilot phase. According to officials, this phase is expected to be completed within three months, after which DRISHTI will be expanded across all 18 railway zones and more than 7,000 stations nationwide.
DRISHTI has been developed by ChainCode Consulting LLP in partnership with Billions Network and the Aptos Foundation. It combines facial recognition technology, blockchain-based data storage, and an offline-first architecture to ensure reliable functionality even in regions with limited or inconsistent internet connectivity. This makes it particularly suited for Indian Railways’ geographically diverse and often remote operational environments.
A key feature of the system is its ability to verify multiple employees simultaneously using a single group photograph, enabling faster and more efficient attendance marking during large-scale field operations. Attendance records captured through the system are stored on a blockchain ledger, ensuring they are tamper-proof, immutable, and fully traceable. In cases where internet connectivity is unavailable, the system can operate offline and automatically synchronise data once connectivity is restored.
Beyond attendance tracking, DRISHTI includes a comprehensive suite of workforce management tools. These include modules for leave management, supervisor approvals, task allocation, and real-time workforce monitoring through digital dashboards. Together, these features aim to streamline administrative processes and provide greater visibility into workforce operations.
The introduction of DRISHTI is part of Indian Railways’ broader digital transformation strategy. The organisation has already implemented several technology-driven initiatives, including Aadhaar-linked authentication systems, OTP-based verification processes for select services, and AI-powered tools for operational monitoring and efficiency improvements.
Developers of the system have stated that similar implementations in other government sectors have led to a reduction of up to 90 percent in fraud related to “ghost employees”, while also improving payroll efficiency and reducing administrative delays.
Officials said DRISHTI is expected to strengthen transparency, accountability, and governance across one of India’s most complex public-sector organisations. However, experts have raised concerns regarding the large-scale use of facial recognition, particularly around privacy safeguards, accuracy in real-world conditions, and long-term data governance.
The developers have emphasised that the system incorporates secure identity verification and decentralised infrastructure to ensure both data security and scalability. Following the Prayagraj pilot, the rollout will continue in phases, with full-scale implementation expected across the railway network in the coming months.
