Supreme Court Makes Travel Insurance Mandatory For Offline Train Tickets From October 27
New Delhi, October 17, 2026: The Supreme Court has directed Indian Railways to extend travel insurance coverage to tickets purchased at railway station counters from October 27, 2026. The move aims to provide financial protection to passengers who book tickets offline, particularly those from economically weaker sections. The Supreme Court has ordered Indian Railways to provide insurance coverage…
On October 17, 2026, India's Supreme Court mandated travel insurance for all tickets bought at railway station counters, effective October 27, 2026. The directive seeks to safeguard financially vulnerable passengers who typically purchase tickets at physical outlets. The court's decision follows a petition filed after a June 2023 train accident in Odisha, which questioned the implementation of the Kavach train protection system.
The bench, consisting of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R Mahadevan, directed Indian Railways to provide insurance coverage for offline ticket purchases, warning of direct responsibility for the Railway Board if the directive is not met. Currently, online passengers can opt for travel insurance by paying a nominal premium, with coverage available for train accidents and other incidents during the journey.
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