Starting May 1 Indian Railways has introduced a series of important updates aimed at making train travel more convenient secure and passenger-friendly. These new rules focus mainly on reserved ticket holders and are designed to improve the overall experience for millions of commuters across the country. From restricting access to reserved coaches for waitlisted passengers to speeding up refund processes and tightening ticket booking procedures the changes reflect a major push toward a smoother fairer and more digitally advanced railway system. If you frequently travel by train here are the five key changes you need to know going forward.

No entry without a confirmed ticket
Passengers holding waitlisted tickets are now barred from boarding sleeper or AC coaches. Only travelers with confirmed reserved tickets will be allowed to access these coaches. If someone with a waitlisted ticket is found sitting in these compartments railway staff are authorized to remove them and impose a fine. They may be asked to move to unreserved compartments instead. The Railway authorities say this step is being taken to prioritize the comfort and safety of confirmed ticket holders.

OTP mandatory for ticket bookings
Whether you’re a regular user or not booking a train ticket through the IRCTC website or app will now require an OTP (One-Time Password). This extra step has been introduced to verify the identity of the person booking the ticket and reduce the risk of fraudulent reservations. The OTP will be sent before the payment process begins.

Booking window shortened to 90 days
Train tickets can now only be booked up to 90 days in advance of the journey date. Previously passengers could book tickets 120 days ahead but this has been shortened to avoid misuse by travel agents and scalpers.

Faster refunds on cancellations
If a passenger cancels their ticket the refund will now be processed within two working days. This is a major improvement over the earlier timeline which could take up to a week. The quicker refund policy applies to both online and counter bookings linked directly to a bank account.

Push for digital payments
Indian Railways is also encouraging more passengers to use digital modes of payment for tickets and onboard services. The goal is to make transactions smoother safer and more transparent.
These new rules are part of Indian Railways’ broader plan to modernize the system and offer passengers a better travel experience.