The Indian government is expanding lifetime free railway travel benefits for armed forces personnel who have received gallantry awards, along with eligible members of their families. Recipients of the Sena Medal (Gallantry), Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry) and Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) will be covered under the facility.
Although the decision had been announced earlier, its implementation is now moving ahead. Eligible beneficiaries will be able to book railway tickets through IRCTC under the new system from November 1, 2026. The process has been designed to operate digitally without the need for physical paperwork.
Who Will Be Eligible for the Free Rail Travel Benefit?
The facility will apply to armed forces personnel who have received the following gallantry awards:
- Sena Medal (Gallantry)
- Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry)
- Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry)
Eligible award recipients will be able to travel free of fare in First Class, Second AC (2AC) and AC Chair Car. One companion accompanying the eligible beneficiary will also be allowed to travel without paying the fare.
Family Members Can Also Avail the Facility
The benefit has also been extended to certain eligible family members of gallantry medal recipients.
This includes the spouses of Army, Navy and Air Force personnel who received the specified gallantry medals. Widows and widowers of deceased gallantry medal recipients can also avail the facility, provided they have not remarried.
In addition, parents of unmarried armed forces personnel who received these gallantry medals after their death will be eligible under the provisions.
Six Chakra Awards Already Covered
Before this expansion, lifetime free railway travel was available to recipients of six major Chakra gallantry awards. These are the Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, Vir Chakra, Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra.
The latest decision extends the facility to recipients of the Sena Medal, Nao Sena Medal and Vayu Sena Medal for gallantry as well.
Online Registration and E-Pass System
The Ministry of Defence has introduced a digital system for implementing the benefit. Eligible beneficiaries will first need to register through the Indian Railway Concession Card Portal (IRCCP).
Their eligibility will then be verified through the system. Once the verification process is completed, an electronic e-pass will be issued. Beneficiaries can use this e-pass while booking tickets through the IRCTC website.
The system is intended to make the entire process paperless, removing the need for traditional physical documents. Railway authorities will also proceed with issuing lifetime free rail travel passes or cards to eligible beneficiaries.
The expanded facility is intended to provide recognition to armed forces personnel and their families who have been associated with gallantry awards and national service.