Following an interface update in early October 2025, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has moved the long-standing 'No Food' option from its prominent position on the ticket booking page to a less visible location under "Other Preferences" or "Catering Service Option" dropdown menu.

The change affects passengers traveling on premium trains including Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto, and Vande Bharat Express, where onboard catering charges are typically included in ticket prices.

The modification has triggered widespread frustration among travelers who claim the system appears designed to trap unsuspecting passengers into purchasing meals they don't want.

Many passengers booking tickets quickly now miss the option entirely, believing it has been removed, and consequently end up paying additional catering charges that can range from Rs 100 to Rs 245 depending on the class and meal type.

Historical Context of Railway Catering

Onboard catering services in Indian Railways date back to 1969 when the first Rajdhani Express was introduced, featuring complimentary meals as part of the premium service.

The 'No Food' option itself was officially introduced on August 1, 2017, following persistent passenger complaints about food quality. This policy change allowed travelers to opt out of catering services during ticket booking, with the food charge automatically deducted from the ticket fare.

The 2017 decision came after years of mounting dissatisfaction with railway food standards, particularly after 2010 when complaints about meal quality intensified across social media and reached ministerial attention. The opt-out provision was widely welcomed as it gave passengers the freedom to bring their own food or skip meals on shorter journeys.

The October 2025 Interface Change

The recent interface modification has fundamentally altered how passengers access this option. Previously displayed clearly alongside meal preference choices like Vegetarian, Non-Vegetarian, and Jain Food, the 'No Food' selection now requires passengers to navigate through additional dropdown menus or preference sections that many users overlook during the booking process.

IRCTC PRO AK Singh defended the change, stating it was made "as per the directives of the Railway Board" to enhance passenger experience. According to Singh, the 'Catering Service Option' dropdown now includes expanded choices including Diabetic Vegetarian and Diabetic Non-Vegetarian options, with the 'No Food' selection appearing "just before the Payment Mode field".

However, this explanation has done little to quell passenger anger. Critics argue that burying the option deeper in the interface represents a lack of transparency and potentially violates passengers' right to choice. The situation is compounded by the fact that the option appears to be completely absent from the official IRCTC mobile app and third-party railway booking applications like RailOne, forcing mobile users to pay catering charges with no way to opt out.

Additional Complications for Group Travelers

Another significant change has further complicated matters for passengers traveling in groups. Under the previous system, travelers under the same PNR (Passenger Name Record) could individually choose whether to opt for meals. The new system operates on an all-or-nothing basis—either everyone on the PNR receives food, or no one does. This has created particular difficulties for families and groups with mixed meal preferences, effectively eliminating individual choice within a single booking.

Railway officials have remained largely silent on why passengers were not formally notified about these changes, with Singh simply stating, "This has been done according to Railway policy". The absence of any official announcement or communication campaign has left many passengers discovering the change only after completing their bookings and finding unexpected catering charges added to their tickets.

Passenger Response and Concerns

Social media platforms have become flooded with complaints from frustrated travelers. Many passengers, particularly elderly users and those less comfortable with technology, report being unable to locate the relocated option and assuming it had been permanently removed. Others suspect the change represents a deliberate attempt by IRCTC to boost catering revenues by exploiting user interface confusion—a practice some have characterized as employing "dark patterns" to advantage service providers over consumers.

The timing of the change has also raised questions, coming amid ongoing concerns about railway catering quality and hygiene standards. Recent months have seen multiple viral incidents involving food safety issues on trains, making the inability to opt out of catering services even more concerning for passengers who prefer to bring their own food.

Transport policy experts have called for greater digital clarity in railway services, emphasizing that passenger choice and transparency are fundamental to modern mobility systems. Some argue that allowing travelers to skip meals could also contribute to reducing food waste on trains—a significant sustainability concern given that Indian Railways serves millions of meals annually.

For now, passengers who wish to avoid catering charges must carefully search for the relocated option during the booking process on the IRCTC website, as the mobile app currently offers no such functionality. Those booking through the website should look under "Other Preferences" or carefully check the "Catering Service Option" dropdown menu before proceeding to payment.

The controversy continues as passengers demand that IRCTC restore the visibility and accessibility of the 'No Food' option, arguing that meal selection should remain a clearly presented personal choice rather than a hidden clause in the booking process.