Indian Railways: Big news for railway passengers. Millions of Indian Railways passengers have received reassuring news. Previously, travel insurance was only available for IRCTC online ticket bookings, leaving out passengers buying tickets offline or at railway counters.

However, in response to strict orders from the Supreme Court, the railway administration has implemented a significant change. Starting from October 27, 2026, passengers purchasing tickets at railway station reservation counters will also be covered by insurance.

What are the details of the insurance coverage and its cost?

Under the current optional Railway Travel Insurance Scheme, passengers are covered for up to Rs 10 lakh by paying a minimal premium of 45 paise per passenger when booking tickets online. This policy offers compensation of up to Rs 10 lakh in case of death or permanent total disability resulting from a train accident or other unforeseen incidents. The Railways is currently finalizing specific guidelines regarding the premium for over-the-counter tickets, necessary documentation, and the entire claims procedure.

Supreme Court’s decisive ruling

This significant change was brought about by the Supreme Court’s intervention. Justices Hassanuddin Amanullah and R. Mahadevan issued a directive during a hearing on railway safety, prompted by a tragic train accident in Odisha in June 2023. During the hearing, the court expressed serious concerns about the delay in providing insurance coverage to regular passengers buying tickets offline, despite previous assurances from officials. The court instructed the Railway Board to implement this system strictly within two weeks, by October 27th, warning that failure to comply would hold the Railway Board directly accountable.

“>October 15, 2026


Who will benefit from this policy change?

There is a substantial portion of the Indian population that still opts for reserved tickets at railway station counters rather than online, especially those with limited digital access. This directive from the Supreme Court and the Railways’ action will eliminate the safety disparity between passengers based on their booking method (online or offline), ensuring equal protection for all travelers.