Given the increasing crowd during festivals, Indian Railways has started a special scheme. Under this scheme, which started from August 14, 2025, passengers can book tickets for coming and going together, on which they will get a discount of 20% on the base fare of the return ticket. Its direct objective is to make it easier for passengers to book tickets on special festivals like Diwali and Chhath Puja, and to make better use of trains in both directions.
For example, if you are going from Delhi to Lucknow to celebrate the festival, then to avail this scheme, you have to book tickets from Delhi to Lucknow and Lucknow back to Delhi together. In this way, you will get a discount of 20% on your return ticket.
A bumper discount will be available only between these dates
The benefit of this round-trip scheme will be available only between certain dates. These dates are as follows:
Outward journey from October 13, 2025, to October 26, 2025.
Return journey from November 17, 2025, to December 1, 2025.
Complete the process of round-trip ticket booking
It is very easy to avail of the round-trip scheme of the railways. For this, you have to first book the ticket to return; only then will you be able to get a discount on the return ticket.
Book the ticket to return
Go to the IRCTC website and select ‘Train’ from the menu.
Select ‘Festival Round Trip Scheme’ or proceed directly by selecting the dates between October 13-26, 2025.
Complete the booking by filling in the travel details (station, date, class) and note down the PNR number.
Book the return ticket
After ticket booking, you will find the option of ‘Book Return Ticket (20% Discount)’ in the confirmation page or ‘Booked Ticket History’, click on it.
For the return ticket, the station and passenger list should be the same as in your outward ticket.
Choose the return date between November 17 and December 1, 2025.
Complete the booking by selecting the train of your choice and making the payment.
After payment, you will see the PNR numbers of both the journeys (coming and going) on a single e-ticket.
Discount Calculation and some important things
It is very important to know that the 20% discount will be applicable only on the base fare of the return ticket. For example, if the total fare of a ticket is ₹1,000, which includes base fare ₹700, reservation charge ₹40, superfast charge ₹75, and tax ₹185, then the discount will be available only on ₹700. You will have to pay the remaining ₹300 (reservation, superfast, tax) in full.
This scheme is applicable only on selected trains and special trains, and the arrival and departure stations should also be the same. So, while booking the ticket, make sure whether you are getting the benefit of this scheme or not. This scheme is a great opportunity to save on travel for those who want to go home during the festivals.