Indian Railways to Extend Insurance to All Counter-Booked Train Tickets from October 27, 2026

Indian Railways will have to extend travel insurance to tickets purchased at station counters from October 27, 2026, as per news reports. The Supreme Court issued the direction on October 6, 2026, requiring offline bookings to receive the same insurance coverage as online reservations. 

The order came from a bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R Mahadevan during a hearing on railway safety following the June 2023 Odisha train accident.  

The court said the Railways had been given enough time to prepare a system for counter-booked tickets, but the work had not progressed as expected. 

Existing Scheme Offers Cover of Up to ₹10 Lakh 

Under the current online scheme, passengers can receive up to ₹10 lakh for death or permanent total disability arising from covered incidents. The policy also provides benefits for specified injuries and hospitalisation expenses, depending on the terms of coverage. 

The premium is 45 paise per passenger, including taxes. Passengers booking through the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website or mobile application can opt for insurance while purchasing tickets. 

The premium applicable to counter bookings has not been announced. The Railways is also yet to explain how insurance documents will be issued and claims processed for passengers buying tickets offline. 

Railway Board to Be Accountable 

The Supreme Court has held the Railway Board directly responsible for any failure to implement the order. The insurance issue was taken up as part of proceedings on railway safety after the Odisha accident. 

The same hearings included concerns about safety measures such as the Kavach automatic train protection system, track fencing, and foot overbridges.  

The insurance directive deals with financial compensation after covered incidents, rather than measures to prevent accidents. 

Details for Counter Bookings Awaited 

From October 27, 2026, tickets purchased at railway station counters will have to be covered under the arrangement directed by the court. The practical details, including the premium, documentation requirements and claims procedure, remain to be clarified by the Railways. 

Passengers should retain their tickets and relevant medical records if they need to make a claim. The amount payable will depend on the nature of the loss and the applicable policy conditions. 

The Railways must implement the order by October 27, 2026, with the arrangements for offline bookings still to be detailed. 

Read More: Delhi Government Introduces Mandatory Aadhaar Identification for Electricity Subsidy Claims! 

Conclusion  

The directive extends railway travel insurance to passengers purchasing tickets offline. Details on premiums, documentation and claims for counter bookings remain pending. 

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