Indian Railways is preparing to introduce a feature that will allow travellers to reschedule their confirmed train tickets without paying any cancellation fees. The new system, to be implemented through the IRCTC portal, will enable passengers to change their travel date or train and pay only the fare difference, offering greater flexibility and convenience.
New Feature to Replace Cancellations with Rescheduling Option
Currently, passengers who are unable to travel on their booked date have no option but to cancel their confirmed tickets and bear hefty penalties, ranging from 25% to 50% of the ticket fare, depending on the class and timing of cancellation. In some cases, particularly if the train is missed, no refund is issued at all. The upcoming policy aims to end this inconvenience by allowing travellers to modify their plans directly on the IRCTC website or mobile app, subject to seat availability.
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A Step Toward Global Travel Standards
Globally, flexible travel systems are common in countries like Japan and the United Kingdom, where passengers can modify travel dates or use open passes without financial penalties. With the proposed change, Indian Railways is moving closer to such international benchmarks. The initiative aligns with the Government’s ongoing modernization efforts to improve the passenger experience across all classes of travel.
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Implementation Expected Early Next Year
Though an official date for the rollout has not been announced, reports indicate that the feature could be launched early next year. Experts believe the system will particularly benefit frequent travellers and those undertaking long-distance journeys. By offering flexibility without financial loss, Indian Railways enhance convenience for train travel in India.
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