Delhi: Indian train passengers will soon gain the option to adjust journey dates on confirmed tickets without paying cancellation or extra charges. The new system, expected to go live in January 2026, will function through IRCTC’s website and app, simplifying one of the most frustrating aspects of railway travel.
Until now, passengers who needed to change plans have been forced to cancel their tickets and rebook new ones, often losing a substantial portion of the fare. Under current rules, a cancellation made between 48 and 12 hours before departure reduces the refund by 25 percent, while cancellations closer to departure cut it by half.
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The upcoming feature will eliminate such deductions by allowing travellers to directly reschedule their confirmed booking instead of cancelling it.
The process will require passengers to log in, open their existing booking, and select a new travel date. Seat availability will be verified instantly through the central reservation network.
“This reform addresses a genuine inconvenience that passengers have faced for years,” — Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Railway Minister
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the reform is part of a broader effort to make ticket management more flexible and passenger-friendly. “People should not be penalized for changing their plans,” he said during a recent interaction with reporters.
If the fare on the new date is higher, travellers will pay only the difference; if the fare is the same or lower, no extra amount will be required. Officials explained that the system is being integrated with real-time booking software to ensure accuracy and transparency.
Frequent commuters have reacted positively, describing the update as long overdue. “For people who travel every week, it saves money and reduces last-minute anxiety,” said a regular passenger on the Delhi–Lucknow route.
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The policy aligns with a series of digital reforms introduced by Indian Railways over the past two years, including shorter booking windows and identity-linked ticketing. Authorities said these measures collectively aim to make railway services more efficient and responsive to passenger needs.
