Supreme Court mandates insurance on all train tickets from October 27
The court has made it clear that compliance with this order is mandatory.
Passengers purchasing tickets from railway station reservation counters will now also have access to insurance facilities, similar to those availing online tickets. The Supreme Court has directed Indian Railways to implement this arrangement for all tickets sold at counters starting from October 27, 2026. The court clearly stated that compliance with this order is mandatory. Failure to do so will hold the Railway Board directly responsible.
Live Law reported that a bench comprising Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R. Mahadevan issued this order in a case related to the safety of train passengers and preventing unpleasant incidents during travel.
During the hearing, the question arose as to why passengers purchasing tickets at counters were excluded when those buying online tickets could obtain insurance by paying a nominal additional amount.
The court specifically noted the situation of economically weaker passengers. It stated that the poorest sections of society often buy tickets from railway reservation counters for train travel. The Railways had previously been given ample time to extend insurance facilities to such passengers. However, no progress has been observed in this direction.
In an earlier hearing, the court had asked railway officials to devise a system that would provide insurance to passengers purchasing tickets offline as well. However, when the matter came up for re-hearing on October 6, the bench found that no progress had been made on this issue. Subsequently, the court set a date for implementing the arrangement and issued clear directives. According to the court's order,
all tickets sold at counters at railway stations must be brought under the insurance coverage similar to that of online purchased tickets. The aim is to eliminate the disparity between passengers based on their ticket purchasing method. However, the available details do not specify the insurance amount, premium, or the process for obtaining it at the counter.
This issue was raised by senior lawyer Shikhil Suri, who stated that,
there has been no response from the Railways on this matter. Following this, the court had asked additional solicitor general Vikramjeet Banerjee, representing the Railways, why there was a distinction between online and offline ticket purchasers regarding the provision of insurance.
The court's concerns were not limited to insurance. The bench also expressed strong dissatisfaction with the attitude of railway officials regarding passenger safety. It stated that officials are not taking the serious issue of common people's safety with the required seriousness. The Railways has repeatedly assured that necessary steps will be taken, but no visible changes have been observed on the ground. The bench remarked that the assurances given by the Railways have largely remained on paper. The budget allocated for the areas identified for improving passenger safety and preventing unpleasant incidents has not been fully utilized. The court considered this a matter of serious concern.
According to the court, despite the provision of a budget for safety, basic needs have not been adequately met. It expressed the expectation that the Railways should implement actions on the ground rather than merely providing assurances. The bench also clarified that the actual actions of the Railways should reflect the seriousness of the assurances given before the court.
In light of the officials' attitude, the Supreme Court has directed the Chairman and members of the Railway Board to appear in person on November 16 at 3 PM. The court stated that if it feels that the Railways is providing assurances without taking serious action, the Chairman and members of the Board will be held personally accountable.
Previously, the Supreme Court had also raised questions about the lack of adequate budget for safety in the Railways. It had sought details on safety measures and expenditures related to them. Following this, the Chief Railway Safety Commissioner Janak Kumar Garg had appeared before the court. However, due to the unclear status of investments made in safety, the bench had expressed dissatisfaction at that time as well.
Now, the Railways will have to implement arrangements to provide insurance to passengers purchasing tickets from counters. Additionally, in the next hearing, the Railway Board will need to clarify its position regarding the work done for passenger safety and the assurances given to the court.