Passengers booking reserved train tickets at railway counters can now opt for travel insurance by paying just 45 paise per ticket. The facility must be implemented across railway zones by October 27.
Highlights
- Indian Railways extends optional travel insurance to offline reserved tickets.
- Supreme Court directed the Railway Board to expand the facility on October 6.
- Passengers will pay a premium of just 45 paise per ticket.
- All railway zones must implement the facility by October 27.
- Insurance premium payments will be accepted digitally only.
- Mobile numbers and passenger details will be mandatory for insurance registration.
Indian Railways Extends Travel Insurance to Counter Tickets After Supreme Court Order
Indian Railways has extended its optional travel insurance scheme to passengers booking reserved tickets at railway reservation counters, following a Supreme Court order. The move will allow passengers purchasing tickets offline to access the same insurance benefits already available to those booking tickets online.
According to a report by The Indian Express, the Railway Board has directed all zonal railways to implement the facility by October 27, 2026.
Passengers opting for the insurance scheme will have to pay a premium of just 45 paise per ticket.
Supreme Court Orders Equal Insurance Access
On October 6, the Supreme Court directed the Railway Board to extend the existing travel insurance facility to passengers booking reserved tickets through offline counters.
Previously, the optional insurance facility was available only to passengers purchasing reserved tickets through online platforms.
The latest decision aims to ensure that passengers booking tickets through different channels have access to the same insurance facility.
Insurance Premium Fixed at 45 Paise
Under the expanded scheme, passengers purchasing reserved tickets at railway counters can opt for travel insurance by paying an additional premium of 45 paise per ticket.
The insurance will remain optional, meaning passengers can choose whether they want the coverage.
The Railway Board has clarified that the existing terms and conditions applicable to passengers booking e-tickets will also apply to counter-ticket passengers.
Digital Payment Mandatory for Insurance
Although passengers can book their tickets offline, payment of the insurance premium must be made digitally.
The Railway Board has instructed reservation staff to collect the applicable insurance premium along with the ticket fare through digital payment methods.
Passengers opting for insurance must also provide their mobile number and accurate personal details during the reservation process.
These details will be shared with the insurance company to facilitate policy issuance.
Railway Staff Directed to Inform Passengers
The Railway Board has instructed reservation staff to inform passengers about the availability of the insurance facility.
All zonal railways have been directed to complete the necessary arrangements by October 27.
The expansion of the insurance scheme is expected to benefit passengers who prefer booking reserved train tickets at railway counters rather than through online platforms.
The decision will also bring greater consistency to the insurance facilities available across Indian Railways’ reservation channels.
Keywords: Indian Railways, Railway Travel Insurance, Counter Ticket Insurance, Supreme Court Railway Order, 45 Paise Insurance, Railway Board, Train Ticket Insurance, Indian Railways News
Source: The Indian Express, October 24, 2026 — Dheeraj Mishra.
