In a move that could significantly improve passenger convenience, Indian Railways could introduce a feature allowing travelers to change the date of journey for confirmed e-tickets without canceling their existing booking or any extra charges. The facility is expected to be available from early next year, with railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw’s directive to prepare a system by year-end, according to sources.
Current rules
At present, passengers holding confirmed e-tickets have no option to modify their travel date. Any change in plan requires cancellation of the ticket and rebooking for a new date. This process attracts cancellation charges ranging between 25 per cent and 50 per cent of the fare, depending on the class of travel and the time of cancellation.If a ticket is canceled 48 to 12 hours before departure, 25 per cent of the fare is deducted. Cancellations within 12 to four hours attract a 50 per cent charge, and no refund is provided for tickets canceled less than four hours before departure or for passengers who miss their train.Currently, the option to reschedule exists only for tickets booked at physical reservation counters, where passengers can request a change of date subject to availability. There is no such provision for online bookings made through IRCTC.
What new system proposes
Under the proposed mechanism, passengers would be able to log in to the IRCTC website or mobile app, select their booked ticket, and choose a new date or train, depending on seat availability. The passenger would only have to pay the fare difference, if any, while no deduction would be made for modifying the booking.However, a confirmed seat on the rescheduled date would not be assured, as allotment would depend on availability at the time of modification.The initiative marks a step towards aligning Indian Railways with global standards of passenger convenience. While an official rollout timeline is yet to be announced, reports cited by ET indicate that the system could be introduced early next year as part of the Railways’ wider modernization programme.
Significance for travelers
Once implemented, the feature would offer greater flexibility and convenience to passengers by allowing them to modify their travel dates instead of canceling confirmed tickets altogether. This would help travelers avoid the hassle of rebooking, reduce financial losses caused by cancellation charges, and ensure better utilization of confirmed seats. For those facing sudden changes in plans—whether due to personal emergencies or work commitments—it could make train travel significantly more user & pocket-friendly and stress-free.The change would also align the Indian Railways’ system more closely with international travel practices. Rail operators in several countries already provide flexible travel options. Japan’s Rail Pass allows passengers to board multiple trains without prior rescheduling, while European and UK train systems offer flexible or semi-flexible fares that can be changed or refunded within specified time limits, as reported by Economic Times.
