Now mandatory travel insurance for all rail tickets

Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R Mahadevan of the Supreme Court of India in a recent interim judgement has told that from October 27, 2026 all train tickets sold either online via IRCTC or offline via rail counters would mandatorily provide travel insurance coverage to passengers. The premium for this travel insurance policy which is issued for online ticket holders on optional basis is 45 paise per passenger inclusive of taxes with effect from February 17, 2024.

However, now with this Supreme Court order, all passengers (online and offline both) will mandatorily get travel insurance coverage. Now it needs to be seen how does the Railway Board implements it since the Supreme Court in its order said that the Railway Board would be held directly responsible for any failure to implement this order, as per Indian Express report.

The Supreme Court said in its order: “.... we direct that within two weeks, i.e., with effect from October 27, 2026, all tickets sold over the counter at all railway stations shall also be covered by insurance in the same manner as tickets purchased online. The aforesaid direction shall be implemented mandatorily, failing which the responsibility shall be directly upon the Railway Board.”

The Supreme Court in its interim judgement has observed that the court has given the railway authorities sufficient time to find a mechanism to extend the travel insurance coverage to passengers who buy tickets at railway reservation counters, yet it was not implemented.

How does this help railway passengers?

Manas Kapoor, Business Head – Travel Insurance, Policybazaar, said in a statement that by making insurance mandatory for all train travellers is a welcome step towards strengthening passenger safety and financial protection in India.

Kapoor says: “The Supreme Court’s decision decision strengthens the importance of travel insurance and recognises it as an essential safeguard rather than an optional add-on.”

Kapoor says that for millions of Indians who rely on railways as an affordable and accessible mode of transport, insurance at an affordable premium can provide crucial financial support to passengers and their families in the event of unforeseen accidents.

Kapoor says: “This move brings the safety and well-being of the common man into sharper focus and reinforces the need to make financial protection an integral part of every journey.”

Table showing how much money this travel insurance provides:

Source: IRCTC website

Some terms and conditions about travel insurance in Indian railways

• The insurance is applicable only for Indian Citizens who book their e-ticket through IRCTC for passengers of Indian Railways. Citizen of foreign countries are not eligible for this scheme.
• Customer shall receive the policy information through SMS and on their registered email IDs directly from Insurance Companies along with the link for filling nomination details. However, Policy number can be viewed from Ticket booked history at IRCTC Page.
• After the booking of ticket, the nomination details to be filled at respective Insurance Company site. If nomination details is not filled then the settlement shall be made with legal heirs, if the claim arises.