By Kavita Mistry 
In a major 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, describing the existing process as “unfair” and inconvenient for passengers.
How Does the New Rule Work?
Currently, passengers who wish to change their travel date after booking online must cancel their existing ticket and book a new one, often incurring cancellation charges.
With the new policy, travellers will be able to reschedule their journey date directly on the IRCTC website or app, avoiding the need to cancel and rebook.
Things to Keep in Mind
While the change eliminates cancellation fees, a few conditions still apply:
- Seat Availability: There is no guarantee of getting a confirmed ticket for the new date. Availability will depend on the train and class chosen.
- Fare Difference: If the new ticket costs more than the original one, passengers must pay the difference in fare.
This makes the system more flexible while still keeping ticketing fair and transparent.
Aadhaar Verification and New Guidelines
In a separate announcement, IRCTC stated that new Aadhaar-based booking rules for online reservations of general tickets will come into effect from October 1, 2025. The move aims to curb misuse of the online ticketing system by unauthorised agents and touts.
The new rule will not affect bookings made at PRS ticket counters, which will continue as usual.
A Step Towards Passenger-Centric Services
The decision to allow free date changes marks another step by Indian Railways to modernise its online reservation system and improve passenger convenience. With millions relying on trains for travel every day, this update is expected to make journey planning more flexible, reduce last-minute cancellations, and offer a more seamless booking experience.