Indian Railways to Allow Passengers to Change Travel Dates for Booked Tickets
Indian Railways is set to make travelling more convenient for millions of passengers. For the first time, travellers will soon be able to change the travel date of their confirmed tickets online without paying any extra charges. This new facility will be available from January 2025, according to Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
The announcement comes as a major relief for passengers whose plans often change unexpectedly. Until now, travellers had to cancel their booked tickets and rebook new ones if they wanted to travel on a different date. This process not only involved time and effort but also led to fare deductions based on the cancellation timing.
Calling the existing system “unfair and not in the interest of passengers,” Vaishnaw said the new policy will make rail travel more flexible and passenger-friendly. The minister added that the necessary instructions have already been issued to implement the new changes.
However, the facility will still depend on seat availability for the rescheduled date. If seats are available, passengers can shift their journey easily. In cases where the new fare is higher than the original, travellers will need to pay the difference.
This move is expected to benefit millions of railway users across India who often face unexpected changes in travel plans. It will also help reduce the financial burden of cancellation charges that passengers currently bear.
Under the current cancellation rules, if a confirmed ticket is cancelled between 48 and 12 hours before departure, 25 per cent of the fare is deducted. The deduction increases for cancellations made closer to departure, and once the reservation chart is prepared, refunds are generally not permitted.
With this upcoming change, Indian Railways aims to provide a more convenient, transparent, and flexible travel experience for passengers across the country.
