The railway network in India is divided into

The railway network in India is divided into

8 zones.
10 zones.
17 zones.
20 zones.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2020
The railway network in India is divided into administrative zones. While the number has changed slightly over time, 17 zones was the established number for a significant period and is typically referred to in many contexts. As of recent updates, the number is 18. However, given the options, 17 is the most appropriate answer reflecting the standard structure known for a long time.
Indian Railways is organized into functional zones for efficient administration and operation of the vast railway network.
The 17 zones (before the 18th was created in 2019) included Central, Eastern, East Central, East Coast, Northern, North Central, North Eastern, Northeast Frontier, North Western, Southern, South Central, South Eastern, South East Central, South Western, Western, West Central, and Metro Railway (Kolkata). The 18th zone is the South Coast Railway (Visakhapatnam). Assuming the question refers to the structure prior to the most recent addition, 17 is the correct choice among the given options.