Keeping in mind the convenience and safety of passengers, Indian Railways has decided to make a big change in the rules of general ticket booking since 21 May 2025. This change is especially important for those passengers who travel by train daily or travel on general ticket without reservation.
For some time, complaints of congestion and chaos at railway stations were increasing continuously. Due to this, the railway administration has taken this step to make the general ticket booking system more strict and transparent.
Till now the passengers taking general tickets could travel in any train, but after the new rules were implemented, passengers would be required to choose the name and number of the train while booking tickets. Apart from this, the validity of the ticket will also remain for limited time.
This will not only control the crowd, but will also improve the safety and travel experience of the passengers. Come, let us know what changes have been made in this new decision of the railway and what will be the impact on the common passengers.
Indian Railways New General Ticket Booking System 2025
| Feature | Details |
| Date of implementation of rules | 21 May 2025 |
| Booking platform | Railway Station Counter, UTS Mobile App |
| Train name/number required | Yes, now train selection mandatory |
| Validity of tickets | Just 3 hours (Journey Start Within 3 hours) |
| Travel in other train | No longer allowed, only travel in the selected train |
| Old law | Travel exemption in any train, validity for 3-24 hours |
| Objective | Crowd control, safety, transparency |
| Main targeted passenger class | General Ticket (Unreserved) passenger |
What are the changes in the Railway General Ticket Booking System?
The Railways has made several significant changes in the general ticket booking system, which will directly affect the journey of the passengers. From the points given below, you can easily understand the new rules:
- Now it is necessary to choose the name and number of the train: While booking the general ticket, the passenger will have to choose the name and number of the train in which you want to travel.
- Ticket validity is just 3 hours: The journey will have to be started within just 3 hours after booking. The ticket will be invalid after the deadline has passed.
- No travel in second train: Now traveling in another train on one general ticket will not be allowed.
- Control over congestion and chaos: The main objective of these changes is to reduce congestion at railway stations and give passengers a safe travel experience.
- Applicated to both UTS Mobile App and Counter: These rules will apply to all the booking platforms of the railway.
General Ticket Booking New Rules
1. Train selection mandatory
Now passengers will be required to choose the name and number of the train at the time of general ticket booking. This will ensure that passengers travel only in the same train for which the ticket has been booked.
2. Ticket validity cut
Earlier, the distance of the validity journey of General Ticket was from 3 hours to 24 hours according to the zone. Now this period has been reduced to just 3 hours. That is, the journey will have to be started within 3 hours of booking the ticket, otherwise the ticket will be invalid.
3. Travel in second train is not allowed
Under the new rule, passengers can travel in the same train once the ticket is booked. If passengers travel in another train, their ticket will not be valid and they may have to pay a fine.
4. Ticket booking platform
- Railway station ticket counter
- UTS Mobile App
These rules will apply in both places. That is, whether you take a ticket from the counter or from the mobile app, you have to select the train.
5. Crowd control and security
Railways say that these changes will reduce unnecessary crowd at stations and passengers will get safe travel experience. Also, it will be easy for ticket checking staff to identify passengers and check the validity of tickets.
Why was the change in general ticket booking system necessary?
In the recent past, incidents of congestion and chaos at railway stations had increased. Many times passengers used to climb in any train by taking general tickets, which led to more passengers in the train. This was not only a threat to the safety of the passengers, but also made it difficult for the railways to maintain the system.
In view of these incidents, the Railways decided to make the general ticket booking system more strict. Now the number of passengers will be controlled and the chances of chaos will be reduced due to the time limit of train selection and ticket validity is fixed.
New rules impact on travelers
- Planning of travel is necessary: Now passengers have to decide in advance which train to travel.
- Early ticket booking: Since the validity of the ticket is only 3 hours, passengers will have to book tickets just before the journey.
- No journey in second train: If your train is missed, then you cannot travel in another train on the same ticket.
- Danger of penalty: Breaking rules may have to be fined.
Other new rules of Railways (other Indian Railways New Rules 2025)
Railways have changed not only general tickets, but also the rules of reservation, waiting tickets, tatkal tickets and online booking. Know some main changes:
- Permission to travel on waiting tickets only in general coaches: Now passengers with waiting tickets cannot travel in Sleeper or AC coach. They will have to travel only in general coaches.
- Advance Booking Window Decreased: First 120 days in advance the ticket could be booked, now only 60 days in advance will be made.
- OTP compulsory for online booking: Mobile OTP verification has been made necessary on ticket booking from IRCTC website or app.
- Aadhaar required for TATKAL Ticket Booking: Aadhaar verification is mandatory while booking Tatkal tickets.
- Changes in ticket rates: Reservation, superfast and tatkal ticket charge has also been changed.
Key highlights of new rules of railway (key highlights)
- It is necessary to choose the name/number of the train in general ticket booking
- Ticket validity is just 3 hours
- Travel not allowed in second train
- Travel in general coach only on waiting tickets
- Advance Booking Window 60 days
- OTP verification on online booking
- Aadhaar required for TATKAL Booking
Important tips for passengers required for passengers
- Do see the train time table before the journey.
- While booking tickets, choose the correct name and number of the train.
- Start traveling within 3 hours after booking tickets.
- If the train misses, book a new ticket, do not travel on the old ticket.
- Keep knowledge of the new rules of the railway, so that they can avoid any problem.
Comparison of old and new rules of railway general ticket booking (Old vs New Rules Table)
| Point | Old rules | New rules |
| Train selection | Not necessary | Necessary |
| Ticket validity | 3-24 hours (distance based) | Just 3 hours |
| Travel in second train | Was permission | No longer allowed |
| Ticket booking platform | Counter, UTS App | Counter, UTS App |
| Crowd control | Less | More |
| Security | Limited | More |
Questions related to new system (FAQ)
Q1. Can general no longer travel on any train on tickets?
No, now you have to select the train while booking tickets and travel in the same train.
Q2. What will be the validity of the ticket?
Just 3 hours. The journey will have to be started within 3 hours of booking tickets.
Q3. What to do if the train misses?
In such a situation you have to book a new ticket.
Q4. Will these rules apply in all railway zones?
Yes, these rules will be applicable all over India.
Q5. What platforms are there for ticket booking?
These rules will be applicable on both ticket counter and UTS mobile apps of the railway station.
Railway’s objective
The main objective of the Railways is to give passengers safe, convenient and transparent travel experiences. The new rules will reduce congestion, ticket checking will be easy and safety of passengers will also be ensured.
Important alert required for passengers
- Be sure to get information about time and train before traveling.
- Take care of time after ticket booking.
- Follow the rules, so that you can avoid penalty.
Disclaimer:
This information is based on the new rules and media reports issued by the Railways. The Railways has announced a change in the General Ticket Booking System, which aims to protect the passengers and the crowd control. These rules will be applicable from 21 May 2025. If there is any other update or change from the railway, then the passengers should get information from the official website of the railway or the nearest station.
The scheme is completely real and is being implemented by Indian Railways, but passengers are advised to confirm all the rules before the journey.
