Indian Railways: To handle the huge rush of passengers during festivals, Indian Railways has launched a special round trip scheme.
This scheme aims to make ticket booking easier during major festivals like Diwali and Chhath Puja.
Under this offer, passengers will get a 20% discount on the base fare of the return ticket. This will also help in better use of train services in both directions.
What is the Railways’ Round Trip Scheme?
The scheme started on August 14, 2025, and is meant to reduce crowding during festival seasons such as Diwali and Chhath.
Passengers can book onward and return tickets together during fixed date periods. The 20% discount will be given only on the base fare of the return ticket.
For example, if you’re going from Delhi to Lucknow to celebrate the festival and plan to return later, you can use this scheme.
You must book your Delhi to Lucknow (onward) ticket along with your Lucknow to Delhi (return) ticket. The discount will apply only to the return journey’s base fare.
How to Use This Scheme
To get the benefit of the round trip scheme, you must first book the onward journey ticket. After that, the return ticket can be booked through the connecting journey feature, but only within the given dates.
Onward Journey Booking Dates: October 13 to October 26, 2025
Return Journey Booking Dates: November 17 to December 1, 2025
Steps to Book Onward Ticket
Visit the IRCTC website and click on the “Trains” option.
Select the “Festival Round Trip Scheme”, or choose travel dates between October 13–26, 2025 in regular booking.
Read and accept the terms and conditions.
Enter your source and destination, travel date, and class.
Complete your booking and save your PNR number.
After booking, you’ll see an option “Book Return Ticket (20% Discount)” on the confirmation page or in the Booked Ticket History.
Steps to Book Return Ticket
Click on “Book Return Ticket (20% Discount)”.
The source and destination stations, travel class, and passenger list must be the same as the onward journey.
Choose a return date between November 17 and December 1, 2025.
Pick your train and finish the booking.
Once payment is done, the PNR numbers for both trips (onward and return) will appear on the e-ticket.
Important Things to Remember
The 20% discount is only on the base fare of the return ticket.
For example, if the total fare is ₹1,000 with a base fare of ₹700, and other charges (reservation ₹40, superfast ₹75, GST/others ₹185) make up ₹300, the discount will apply only on ₹700, not the total fare.
Advance Reservation Period (ARP) rules do not apply to return tickets.
The onward and return tickets must be between the same station pair.
The scheme is available only on selected and special trains, so check eligibility while booking.
