Indian Railways Travel Insurance Rule From October 27, 2026: Supreme Court Order, Coverage and Eligibility

Indian Railways is set to extend travel insurance to counter-ticket passengers from October 27, 2026, following a Supreme Court direction. Premiums and coverage details remain unconfirmed.

Indian Railways to Extend Travel Insurance to Counter-Ticket Passengers From October 27

Indian Railways is preparing to extend travel insurance protection to passengers who purchase tickets at railway reservation counters. The change is scheduled to take effect on October 27, 2026, following a direction from the Supreme Court.

The move aims to bring offline ticket holders under a travel insurance framework that is currently available to eligible passengers booking tickets online through the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).

The decision could provide additional financial protection to passengers who prefer purchasing tickets directly at railway stations instead of using online booking platforms. However, the Railways is yet to clarify the exact premium, coverage and enrolment process applicable to counter-booked tickets.

Supreme Court Sets October 27 Deadline for Implementation

A Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R. Mahadevan directed Indian Railways to extend travel insurance coverage to passengers holding counter-issued tickets.

The court has set October 27, 2026, as the deadline for implementing the change and assigned responsibility for compliance to the Railway Board.

The direction seeks to address the difference in insurance access between passengers booking online and those purchasing tickets through traditional reservation counters.

The implementation is expected to make insurance protection more accessible to offline passengers. Further operational details will be important in determining how the revised arrangement will work at railway stations.

What Will Change for Railway Passengers?

Under the existing arrangement, eligible passengers booking e-tickets through IRCTC can opt for travel insurance during the online reservation process.

Passengers purchasing tickets at railway counters have not had access to the same facility under this framework.

The proposed change aims to extend insurance access to these offline bookings, offering passengers another layer of financial protection against specified incidents during train journeys.

However, several details remain unclear. Indian Railways has not yet confirmed whether insurance for counter tickets will be automatic or optional, how passengers will receive their policy documents, or what steps will be required to access the coverage.

Passengers should wait for official instructions before assuming that insurance will automatically apply to every counter-issued ticket.

Existing IRCTC Travel Insurance Coverage and Premium

Under the existing IRCTC online travel insurance scheme described in the available information, eligible passengers pay a premium of ₹0.45 per person, including taxes.

The policy provides financial benefits for specified accidents and related consequences during train travel.

The existing online scheme lists the following coverage limits:

These figures relate to the existing online insurance scheme. They should not be treated as confirmed coverage limits for counter-booked tickets. The Railways and the relevant insurance providers are yet to confirm whether the same premium, benefits and policy conditions will apply to offline reservations.

Who Is Eligible for Railway Travel Insurance?

Under the current online system, eligible Indian citizens holding confirmed, Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) or partially confirmed e-tickets can opt for travel insurance, subject to the applicable policy terms.

The existing scheme also specifies conditions for children travelling with adults. Children below five years who travel without a separate seat or berth are excluded, while coverage for children aged five to 11 depends on the policy conditions.

For eligible online bookings, insurance details are generally communicated through SMS and email. Passengers can also check their policy information through their IRCTC booking history.

The eligibility requirements and documentation process for counter-ticket passengers will need to be confirmed under the new arrangement.

How Can Counter-Ticket Passengers Check Their Insurance Details?

Passengers booking tickets at railway reservation counters should look for official announcements explaining the revised insurance process before travelling.

Important details to check include:

• Whether insurance is optional or automatically included.

• The premium payable per passenger, if applicable.

• The coverage limits and exclusions.

• The procedure for receiving policy documents.

• The claim process and documents required following an insured incident.

These details will help passengers understand the protection available to them and avoid relying on assumptions based on the existing online scheme.

What the New Rule Means for Railway Travellers

Extending travel insurance to counter-ticket passengers could reduce the difference in insurance access between online and offline railway bookings.

The change may be particularly useful for passengers who regularly purchase tickets at railway stations or are less comfortable using digital booking platforms.

At the same time, the effectiveness of the new arrangement will depend on clear implementation guidelines, transparent communication and an accessible process for obtaining policy information and submitting claims.

Until the Railways issues detailed instructions, passengers should verify the latest official requirements rather than assume that all counter-issued tickets will carry the same insurance benefits as online bookings.

Conclusion

The proposed Indian Railways travel insurance change from October 27, 2026, aims to extend insurance access to counter-ticket passengers following a Supreme Court direction. While the existing IRCTC scheme offers specified benefits at a low premium, the coverage, cost and eligibility rules for offline tickets still require official confirmation.