New Delhi: The Indian government has made an important decision to honor the nation’s courageous soldiers and their loved ones. Service members who have received the Army Medal, Navy Medal, and Air Force Medal, along with their qualified family members, will now enjoy complimentary lifetime travel on Indian Railways. While this decision was previously communicated, the actual rollout is now taking place. Notably, qualified beneficiaries can start booking tickets through IRCTC under this program beginning November 1, 2026. The entire system has been designed to be fully digital and paperless.
Ticket booking launches on November 1
The Defense Ministry has created a digital platform to roll out this benefit. Qualified beneficiaries must first register online through the Indian Railway Concession Card Portal (IRCCP). After registering, the system will verify their eligibility. Once verification is complete, beneficiaries will receive e-passes electronically. These e-passes can then be used to book tickets on the IRCTC website. Ticket reservations on the IRCTC platform will open on November 1, 2026.
Which gallantry medal recipients qualify?
This complimentary rail travel benefit applies to service members awarded these gallantry honors:
Sena Medal (Gallantry)
Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry)
Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry)
Service members recognized with these medals can travel at no cost in Indian Railways’ First Class, Second AC (2AC), and AC Chair Car categories. An accompanying companion may also travel without paying any fare.
Family members get access too
The government has extended this benefit beyond just gallantry medal recipients. Qualifying family members can also take advantage.
This covers:
Spouses of Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel who won gallantry medals.
Widows or widowers of fallen gallantry medal-winning soldiers, provided they haven’t remarried.
Parents of unmarried military personnel who received gallantry medals after their passing.
On which awards was this facility applicable earlier?
Until now, free rail travel for life was available to winners of the country’s six major “Chakra” gallantry awards. These include the Paramvir Chakra, Mahavir Chakra, Vir Chakra, Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra. Now, the Sena Medal, Nao Sena Medal, and Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) have also been extended this benefit.
The entire process will be online and paperless
According to the Ministry of Defense, a simple and paperless digital system has been created to implement this government decision. Eligible beneficiaries will be able to register themselves on the IRCCP portal. After verification, they will receive an online e-pass, which will be used to book train tickets. This means that there will be no need to rely on traditional paperwork to avail the benefits.
A step to honor soldiers and their families
This government decision honors the soldiers and their families who have demonstrated courage and sacrifice for the nation’s security. Providing lifetime rail travel to gallantry medal recipients is seen as a tribute to their courage, service, and sacrifice. The railway administration will also proceed with the issuance of lifetime free rail travel passes or cards to eligible beneficiaries.