Indian Railways has introduced a significant update for passengers by allowing them to modify their boarding station much closer to the train’s departure time. Starting April 1, 2026, travelers can change their boarding point up to 30 minutes before the scheduled departure from the originating station. This new flexibility, announced by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, aims to help passengers who might face last-minute changes in their travel plans or delays reaching the station.
Key features of the new boarding station rule
- The facility is now available up to 30 minutes before the train starts its journey from the first station.
- Earlier, this change was only possible until the first reservation chart was prepared, usually 24 hours earlier.
- The updated boarding point will be mentioned in the second or final reservation chart.
- Passengers can make these changes once per ticket through the IRCTC website or app.
- The rule applies specifically to those holding confirmed or RAC status tickets.
Frequently asked questions about the modification process
Passengers often ask if waitlisted tickets are eligible for this change. Currently, waitlisted ticket holders cannot modify their boarding station under this rule. The change can be done both online via the IRCTC portal and offline at any Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counter. It is important to note that the boarding station can be modified only once. If a passenger misses the train at the original station but has updated the boarding point, their seat will remain reserved for them from the new station chosen. This ensures that the seat is not marked as vacant by the TTE if the passenger boards from a subsequent station.