New Delhi: The Supreme Court has directed Indian Railways to extend its passenger insurance scheme to tickets purchased at railway reservation counters across the country. The new arrangement is scheduled to take effect on October 27, 2026, allowing eligible passengers booking tickets offline to receive insurance coverage on the same terms as online ticket holders.
The direction was issued by a bench comprising Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice R. Mahadevan during a hearing concerning railway safety.
The court observed that the existing insurance facility was available to passengers booking tickets online upon payment of a nominal additional amount. However, passengers purchasing tickets at railway reservation counters did not have access to the same benefit.
The Supreme Court has now instructed the Railways to address this difference and introduce a mechanism covering counter-booked tickets.
Railway Counter Tickets to Get Insurance from October 27
Under the Supreme Court’s direction, Indian Railways must extend insurance coverage to tickets issued at reservation counters at all railway stations.
The insurance facility must be provided under the same conditions applicable to tickets purchased online.
The court has made compliance with its order mandatory and stated that the Railway Board will be directly responsible if the directions are not implemented.
The bench instructed the authorities to introduce the required arrangements within two weeks, with the new provision taking effect on October 27, 2026.
The decision is intended to ensure that passengers who prefer offline ticket booking are not excluded from the insurance protection available to online customers.
Why Did the Supreme Court Issue the Direction?
The Supreme Court had previously asked Indian Railways to examine the possibility of extending passenger insurance coverage to tickets purchased at reservation counters.
During the hearing, the bench observed that the authorities had already been given sufficient time to develop a suitable mechanism.
The court highlighted that many passengers from economically weaker sections of society rely on railway reservation counters rather than online booking platforms.
Despite earlier directions, the required arrangements had not been introduced.
The bench therefore ordered the Railways to implement the insurance facility for counter-booked tickets instead of allowing further delays.
The new provision is expected to bring greater consistency to the insurance arrangements available through different railway ticket-booking channels.
Supreme Court Raises Concerns Over Railway Safety
Apart from passenger insurance, the Supreme Court also expressed concern about the overall safety measures being implemented by Indian Railways.
The bench observed that although the authorities had provided assurances about improving railway safety, sufficient progress was not evident on the ground.
One of the major issues raised during the hearing was the fencing of railway tracks.
The court questioned the Railways over its repeated failure to achieve annual track-fencing targets. According to the observations made during the proceedings, approximately one-third of the planned fencing work remained incomplete each year.
The bench sought an explanation for the continuing shortfall and asked the authorities to provide details of the measures taken to improve safety.
Railway Board Officials Asked to Explain Safety Progress
The Supreme Court had initially directed the Chairman and members of the Railway Board to appear personally at the next hearing, scheduled for November 16, 2026.
However, Additional Solicitor General Vikramjit Banerjee, representing the Central Government, requested additional time to submit a detailed affidavit.
The proposed affidavit will explain the railway safety work carried out over the previous year and the reasons for failing to meet the prescribed targets.
Following this request, the Supreme Court temporarily deferred its direction requiring senior Railway Board officials to appear in person.
The court’s directions place renewed attention on passenger insurance and railway safety, with the extension of insurance coverage to counter-booked tickets scheduled to begin on October 27, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is published for general informational purposes and is based on the details provided regarding the Supreme Court’s directions. Insurance eligibility, coverage conditions, implementation procedures and railway policies may be subject to official clarification or further court orders. Passengers should consult Indian Railways, IRCTC or relevant official notifications for the latest confirmed information before relying on any insurance benefit.