IRCTC
Indian Railways is set to introduce a new feature allowing passengers to reschedule their confirmed tickets online. Starting January 2025, travellers will be able to change their journey dates directly through the IRCTC website or mobile app, without the hassle of cancellations or extra charges. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed the update in a recent interview with NDTV Profit, calling it a “passenger-friendly” policy designed to make travel more convenient and affordable.
Until now, passengers who needed to change their plans had to cancel their confirmed tickets and book new ones, and this also includes a cancellation fee. Currently, cancelling a confirmed ticket 48 to 12 hours before departure leads to a 25% deduction in fare. The charge increases to 50% if cancellation happens closer to departure.
However, starting next year, passengers will be able to reschedule their travel date online at no extra cost, as long as seats are available on the new date. If the fare on the rescheduled date is higher, travellers will simply pay the difference. However, if it’s the same or lower, no additional fee will apply.
“This system is fairer and more convenient for passengers,” said Vaishnaw, adding that detailed instructions have already been issued to implement the new policy.
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According to railway officials, the new feature will be integrated with the IRCTC’s central reservation system in real time. Travellers will just need to log in to their IRCTC account, select their booked ticket, and choose a new date. The system will instantly verify seat availability and update the booking.
This digital feature will save passengers both time and money, especially for those who frequently travel for work or emergencies and often face last-minute changes in plans.