How close to train departure time can passengers switch their boarding point?
Boarding point change to be reflected in second reservation chart
What are the important conditions for a passenger to change their boarding point of a train?
Valid for confirmed & RAC tickets only
Waitlisted tickets – Not eligible
Can be changed only once
Request must be made before the second chart’s preparation
Steps to change boarding point after ticket booking:
Some of the key changes
48-hour refund window extended to 72 hours
Indian Railway passengers will now have more flexibility when it comes to changing their boarding station. Railways’ has revised its rules, allowing travellers to change their boarding point much closer to the train’s departure time than before.Earlier, passengers had to submit their boarding point change request well in advance, but the updated system gives them more flexibility now.They can change their boarding point online through the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) app or the website and offline at passenger reservation counters.Also read: Setback for railway passengers: Soon, no refund if reserved ticket is cancelled up to 8 hours before journey, lesser refunds in other cases According to social media post on X (formerly Twitter), Southern Railways says, “You can now change your boarding point up to 30 minutes before your train departs — a brand new facility effective from 1st April 2026”Earlier, a request to modify the boarding station had to be submitted at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure of the train. The revised boarding point would be updated in the first reservation chart, which is usually prepared around four hours before a train departs from its originating station.However, this rule has now been relaxed to provide greater convenience to passengers. Now, the boarding point change will be reflected in the second reservation chart. From April 1, 2026, passengers can submit a request to change their boarding station up to 30 minutes before the scheduled departure of the train.The boarding point can be changed online via the IRCTC website or the app and offline at counters, providing the train ticket and an ID proof.To change their boarding point of a train, passengers has to meet below conditions-Step 1: Login by entering your user name and password.Step 2: Go to My Account >> My Transactions >> Booked Ticket HistoryStep 3: Select the ticket for which you want to change the boarding station and click the Change Boarding Point buttonA pop up window will appear with a list of stations between the selected train route. Choose your desired boarding point.On selecting the station, the system will ask for confirmation, click ‘OK’ to change the boarding point of your ticket.A success alert message will appear if the boarding station is changed successfully. · A corresponding message regarding the updation of the boarding point will be sent on the mobile number provided during the ticket booking.Railway cancellation rules to change in phases from April 1 to April 15, 2026Under the new norms, which will be implemented in phases from April 1 to April 15, 2026, refund timelines and penalty windows have been changed.The time window has been extended from 48 hrs to 72 hours for the maximum refund if a passenger cancels their ticket more than 72 hours before the departure of the train. Earlier, this window was more than 48 hours.Another change is 25% of fare will be deducted if a passenger cancels their train ticket between 24 hours and 72 hours before the departure of the train. Under the existing rule, this window was 12 to 48 hours before the departure of the train.A passenger will get 50% of their train ticket fare deducted if they cancel their ticket between 8 hours and 24 hours before departure.A passenger won't get any refund if they cancel their ticket in less than 8 hours before the departure of the train. As per existing limits, a passenger doesn't get any refund if they cancel their ticket in less than 4 hours of the departure of the train or after chart preparation.