In a significant step to make train travel more flexible, the Indian Railways has announced that passengers will soon be able to change the travel date of their confirmed tickets without paying any cancellation charge. The new facility, expected to roll out from January, was confirmed by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
At present, passengers who wish to alter their travel date must cancel their existing ticket and book a new one, which involves paying a cancellation fee. Under the upcoming system, passengers will be able to rebook their tickets online for a different date without incurring any penalty.
The minister explained that the facility is being introduced as part of efforts to make the railway ticketing process more passenger-friendly. However, he also noted that rebooking will depend on seat availability and that confirmation on the new date is not guaranteed. If the fare on the new date is higher, passengers will have to pay the difference.
This move is expected to particularly benefit travelers who often face last-minute changes in their plans. Currently, if a confirmed ticket is canceled between 48 and 12 hours before departure, 25 percent of the fare is deducted as a penalty. The deduction is higher for cancellations made closer to departure, and no refund is available once the reservation chart is prepared. The new rebooking option aims to offer greater convenience and flexibility to passengers across the country.