In a passenger-friendly move, Indian Railways will soon allow travellers to change the travel date of confirmed train tickets online without any extra charges.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the new system will be implemented from January 2025, calling the existing process “unfair” and inconvenient for passengers.
How the New Date Change System Works
Currently, if a passenger wants to change their travel date after booking online, they must cancel the ticket and book a new one, often paying cancellation fees.
With the new policy, travellers will be able to reschedule their journey directly on the IRCTC website or app, eliminating the need to cancel and rebook.
Things to Keep in Mind:
Seat Availability: A confirmed ticket on the new date is not guaranteed.
Availability depends on the train and class chosen.
Fare Difference: If the new ticket costs more than the original one, passengers will need to pay the fare difference.
This ensures flexibility while keeping the ticketing system fair and transparent.
Aadhaar Verification and New Booking Guidelines
IRCTC also announced that Aadhaar-based booking rules for online reservations of general tickets will come into effect from October 1, 2025.
The aim is to prevent misuse by unauthorized agents and touts.
Bookings made at PRS ticket counters will not be affected by these changes.
A Step Towards Passenger-Centric Services
Allowing free date changes is part of Indian Railways’ efforts to modernize online reservations and enhance passenger convenience.
Millions of people rely on trains daily, and this update will make journey planning more flexible, reduce last-minute cancellations, and offer a smoother booking experience for travellers across the country.
