Train tickets sold at counters will include insurance from 27 October

What's going on here?

On 14 October 2026, the Supreme Court of India told Indian Railways that every train ticket sold at physical reservation counters must include travel insurance starting 27 October 2026. Wire reports said the bench acted on a public-interest petition arguing that passengers who buy tickets offline were not offered the same accident cover that online buyers could tick on the IRCTC website. Until now, insurance on train travel was largely opt-in for digital bookings. The court’s order makes the premium part of the ticket price for counter sales as well.

What does this mean?

Rail travel still carries injury risk in derailments or accidents, and ticket prices are low enough that many families buy at counters without smartphones. Bundling insurance shifts the default from uncovered to covered, with the premium likely embedded in the fare or shown as a separate line on the receipt. Railways will need to negotiate or renew policies with insurers, train counter staff on the new rule, and update printing systems before the deadline. For insurers, mandatory attachment at counters opens a high-volume, low-ticket channel similar to micro-insurance on bus tickets.

Why should I care?

If you usually queue at the station, check your receipt after 27 October for the insurance clause and keep the policy number handy when you travel. If you book online, compare whether counter and app tickets now carry the same cover and cost. Policy watchers should watch whether the Railways Board publishes tariff circulars on premium amounts and whether parliament or IRDAI sets caps on commission for these bundled products.