According to Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, Chief Public Relations Officer of Northern Railway, a pilot project is currently being tested to remove the “regret” status, and the initial response has been very encouraging. To meet the surging demand, the railway has already added 3,000 additional coaches to various trains, with more to be introduced depending on passenger flow.
“Special trains have also been launched to key destinations across Purvanchal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh, and their detailed schedules are being published as they are announced,” an official said.
How ‘Regret’ Status Is Being Removed
Under normal circumstances, once the waiting list for a train exceeds 150 passengers, bookings are stopped, and “regret” status appears. However, to accommodate festive season demand, the Railways has made booking rules more flexible.
By adding more coaches to high-demand trains, the system now allows for continued ticket bookings even when regular capacity is full — ensuring that more passengers can secure travel. This step is expected to significantly reduce waiting lists and enhance travel convenience for passengers heading home during the festivals.
Passengers Can Soon Change Travel Dates on Confirmed Tickets
In another passenger-friendly move, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced that from January 2026, travelers will be able to change the travel date of confirmed tickets without paying any cancellation fees or extra charges.
Speaking to NDTV on October 7, the minister said this upcoming feature will make the ticketing system more flexible and convenient. However, he clarified that changing the travel date does not guarantee a confirmed seat — it will depend on seat availability on the new date.
Example of the New Ticket Date-Change System
If you have a confirmed ticket from Delhi to Patna on November 20, but your plan gets postponed by five days, you won’t need to cancel your ticket or book a new one for November 25.
Instead, you can reschedule your existing ticket online through IRCTC, update the travel date, and travel on November 25 using the same ticket — with no extra payment or penalty.
Understanding the New Rules: Six Key Questions Answered
1. What are the current rules for changing travel dates?
At present, passengers must cancel the original ticket and book a new one for a later date.
Cancellation fees apply:
- AC First Class/Executive Class – ₹240 + GST
- AC 2 Tier/First Class – ₹200 + GST
- AC 3 Tier/AC Chair Car/3E – ₹180 + GST
- Sleeper Class – ₹120
- Second Class – ₹60
No refund is issued after the chart is prepared.
2. When will the new system start?
The new rebooking system will be available on the IRCTC website and app from January 2026.
3. How can passengers change the date of a confirmed ticket?
Once your ticket is confirmed, a rebooking option will appear.
You can:
- Select a new travel date (in the same train).
- Check availability for that date.
- Confirm booking (if seats are available).
A new ticket will be generated without any cancellation fee.
4. Can this be done at a ticket counter?
Initially, the feature will be online-only through the IRCTC website or app. Offline implementation may follow later.
5. Can the travel date be changed for waitlisted tickets?
No, the facility is only for confirmed tickets. Waitlisted tickets are not covered under the new system.
6. Will passengers get a confirmed seat after changing the date?
Not necessarily — tickets will depend on seat availability. Any fare difference for the new date will be borne by the passenger.
A Major Boost for Passenger Convenience
These changes — including the removal of “regret” status and the introduction of date-change flexibility — are part of the Railways’ broader plan to improve passenger experience and handle festive rushes more efficiently.
With millions traveling across India for Diwali and Chhath, these reforms promise smoother ticket booking, shorter waiting lists, and more flexibility for passengers adjusting their travel plans.
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