Indian Railways has made major changes in general ticket booking since 7 February 2025 keeping in mind the convenience of passengers. The purpose of these new rules is to make the ticket booking process more smooth and digital. Now passengers can easily book their tickets without standing in long queues. This step has been taken by the Railways on the basis of feedback and suggestions of passengers.
Many new facilities have been added under these changes, such as online general ticket booking, digital payment options, and new windows of advance booking. This article will give you detailed information about these new rules and their effects.
General ticket booking new update: at a glance
| Description | Acquaintance |
| Date of implementation | 7 February 2025 |
| Main change | Online general ticket booking facility |
| Booking window | Till 3 days before the journey |
| Mobile app | Available on UTS app |
| Payment option | Debit card, credit card, upi |
| Refund policy | Full refund on cancellation of 4 hours before the journey |
| Seat allocation | First come first serve on basis |
| ID proof | Aadhar card or other government id compulsory |
Online General Ticket Booking Facility)
Now passengers can book general tickets online through UTS Mobile App. This feature will help passengers to avoid long queues at the counter.
Benefits of online booking:
- Time saving
- Quarrel
- 24 × 7 booking facility
- Cashless transaction
This step also promotes the Digital India campaign and makes the journey more convenient for passengers.
Advance Booking Window Changes
Under the new system, now passengers can book general tickets till 3 days before the date of their journey. This will give passengers a chance to make a better plan for their journey.
Benefits of advance booking:
- Better travel plan
- Last minute rescue from running
- Better information about the availability of seat
Digital Payments Options
Railways have added several new options to promote digital payment. Passengers can now pay through debit cards, credit cards, UPI and other digital wallets.
Benefits of Digital Payment:
- Fast and safe transactions
- No need to carry cash
- Digital record of transaction
Paperless Ticketing: Steps towards environmental protection
Railways have promoted paperless ticketing. Now passengers can travel by showing e-tickets on their smartphone. This initiative is part of the environmental protection and Digital India campaign.
Its benefits:
- Paper saving
- Simplify the procedure
- Contribution to environmental protection
Refund policy updates
Under the new refund policy, if a passenger cancels the ticket till 4 hours before his visit, he will get full refund.
Benefits of refund policy:
- More flexibility
- Better service to passengers
Seat allocation process
Seat allocation will now be done on the basis “First Come First Serve”. This means that whoever books tickets first will be given priority.
Use of QR Code in General Ticket System
The Railways has started using the QR code on general tickets for the first time. This process will make ticket verification faster and easier.
Benefits of QR Code:
- Verification process will speed up
- Manual workload will be reduced
- Crowd management will improve
Upgraded Counter Services
Along with digital facilities, the Railways has also upgraded counter services. Now modern machines have been installed at the counter and additional staff has also been appointed.
Impact of new rules
These new rules will have a positive impact on Indian Railways and Passengers:
- Saving time: Online and advance booking facilities will save passengers time.
- The crowd will be less: long queues on the counter will be less.
- Environment Protection: Paperless ticketing will reduce paper consumption.
- Digital transactions: Transactions will be more secure than cashless payment system.
conclusion
These new rules, which came into force from 7 February 2025, are a major step by Indian Railways, which have been taken to improve the experience of travelers. Facilities like online booking, digital payment, and paperless ticketing make the Railways more modern and environment-friendly.
Passengers are advised to understand these new rules and keep them in mind while making their travel plan.
Disclaimer: This article is written only for the purpose of providing information. Please get the latest information by visiting the official website of Railways or IRCTC before the journey.
