Indian Railways to Let Passengers Change Train Travel Dates Online Without Fees from January 2026

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New Delhi: In a major boost for train travellers across India, Indian Railways is set to introduce a passenger-friendly policy that will allow confirmed ticket holders to change their travel date online without incurring any cancellation fees. The new system is scheduled to be implemented starting January 2026, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed in an interview with NDTV.

Currently, passengers who wish to reschedule their journey must cancel their tickets and book new ones, often facing significant deductions depending on the timing of the cancellation. “This system is unfair and not in the interest of passengers,” said Vaishnaw, adding that instructions have already been issued to implement the changes.

Under the new policy, travellers can shift their confirmed tickets to a new date without paying cancellation charges. However, the minister cautioned that confirmation on the new date will depend on seat availability. If the fare for the rescheduled journey is higher, passengers will be required to pay the difference.

This reform is expected to benefit millions of travellers who currently face hefty penalties under existing rules. Presently, cancellations 48 to 12 hours before departure attract a 25% deduction, while cancellations 12 to 4 hours prior incur even higher charges. Once the reservation chart is prepared, refunds are generally not granted.

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