IRCTC’s Big Change: Reschedule Confirmed Tickets — No Cancellation Fee!

IRCTC lets passengers change confirmed train dates — no cancellation fee from January 2026

A passenger-friendly shift aims to stop people from losing money when plans change.

Updated Oct 16, 2025 • By Staff Reporter

Indian Railways is introducing a major convenience for travelers: starting January 2026, passengers with confirmed IRCTC bookings will be able to change their journey date online without paying any cancellation fee. The move aims to reduce the financial loss and hassle passengers face when plans change and they must cancel and rebook.

What exactly is changing?

Until now, passengers who needed to alter travel dates had to cancel their tickets—losing part of the fare as a penalty—and then book again. Under the new system, IRCTC will add a “reschedule” or “change travel date” option inside the Booked Tickets section on its website and official app. Confirmed and RAC tickets can be moved to a new date without a cancellation charge, subject to seat availability and Indian Railways rules.

Who can use this feature?

• Passengers holding confirmed and RAC tickets booked through IRCTC (website or app) can change dates.
• Changes depend on seat availability and operational rules of Indian Railways.
• Full terms and conditions will be announced closer to launch.

How to reschedule your train ticket (expected process)

1. Log in to your IRCTC account and open Booked Tickets.
2. Select the PNR you want to change and tap Change Travel Date / Reschedule.
3. Pick a new travel date and confirm — if seats are available, your ticket updates instantly with no cancellation fee.

Note: The exact process and interface will be confirmed when the feature officially launches.

Why this matters

This change removes one of the biggest pain points for travelers. Unexpected delays, emergencies, or weather issues often force passengers to cancel at the last minute and lose money. Now, with an easy date-change option, travelers keep their money and reduce unnecessary cancellations on the system.

Things to keep in mind

• Rescheduling depends on seat availability — if no seats are free, regular cancellation rules may still apply.
• Fare differences may apply if you switch to a different class or quota.
• Check IRCTC’s official website and app for updates before making changes.

Quick tips to prepare

Update your IRCTC app regularly, verify your account details, and keep upcoming PNRs handy so you can try the feature once it goes live. The new policy is expected to launch in January 2026.

Bottom line

IRCTC’s no-cancellation-fee date-change feature will make Indian train travel more flexible and user-friendly. It’s a welcome update for millions of passengers who rely on railways for daily and long-distance journeys.