What is the story about?
New Delhi: In a significant move aimed at improving passenger convenience, the Ministry of Railways is all set to roll out a new feature that will allow
passengers to reschedule their confirmed train tickets without incurring any cancellation charges. Union Railway Minister, in a media interaction, revealed that government is planning to bring this new scheme in January 2026 to facilitate passengers.
New System, More Flexibility
Expected to be implemented from January 2026, this service will enable travellers to change the date of travel online for confirmed tickets, eliminating the need for cancellations and rebooking in many cases.
However, the change will be subject to seat availability on the new date and any fare difference applicable. If no seats are available, the rescheduling will not go through.
Currently, passengers who need to change their travel plans must cancel their tickets and book new ones, often at a cost. For instance, cancelling a confirmed ticket between 48 and 12 hours before departure results in a 25% deduction from the fare. If the cancellation is made closer to the departure time, the deduction rises to 50%.
However, under the upcoming system, travellers will be able to reschedule their journey online without cancelling their ticket. This option will be available only if seats are available on the new date. If the fare on the rescheduled date is higher, passengers will simply pay the difference in fare. If the fare is equal or lower, no extra charge will be applied.
Key Highlights:
- No cancellation fee for date change of confirmed tickets
- Facility available online, starting January 2026
- Rescheduling subject to seat availability and fare difference
- Aimed at reducing the hassle of ticket cancellations and improving user experience
Who Benefits?
Frequent travellers, especially those who often face last-minute changes, are expected to benefit the most. This move also aligns with the Railways’ broader vision of digitising services and offering more flexible travel options.
As the rollout date approaches, more details on the implementation process and eligibility criteria are expected to be announced by the Railway Board.
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