How to change name and date in a booked train ticket online and offline

Passengers may need to postpone or prepone their journey due to unforeseen circumstances. Indian Railways allows date modifications for confirmed or RAC tickets.

Indian Railways serves as a lifeline for millions of passengers daily, providing reliable and affordable transportation. However, unexpected changes in travel plans can arise, requiring modifications to booked tickets. To cater to such needs, Indian Railways offers provisions for altering passenger names and journey dates under specific conditions. Whether your ticket was booked online or offline, the process is straightforward, but it must follow the rules established by Indian Railways.  Let’s delve into the updated procedures, eligibility criteria, and documentation needed for these changes.

Changing name on a booked train ticket

Indian Railways allows passengers to transfer their confirmed ticket to another individual under certain conditions. However, this is only applicable for offline tickets booked at railway reservation counters. The following steps will guide you through the process:

Eligibility for Name Change:

• Tickets can be transferred to family members (father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter, husband, or wife).
• Group bookings made for educational tours or government officials can also be transferred within the group.

Procedure for Offline Tickets:

• Visit the nearest railway reservation office at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure of the train.
• Carry a written request and a valid proof of identity for both the original and the new passenger.
• Submit the documents to the railway authorities for processing.

Rules and Conditions:

• The transfer is allowed only once.
• Name change is not available for tickets booked online via IRCTC.

Changing journey date on a booked train ticket

If your travel plans change, Indian Railways permits date modification for confirmed tickets under certain circumstances. Both offline and online tickets are eligible for a date change.

For Offline Tickets (Booked at Counters):

• Visit the reservation office at least 48 hours before the train’s scheduled departure.
• Carry the original ticket and submit a request for postponement (new date after the original journey date) or preponement (new date before the original journey date).
• Choose an alternative date within the ticket’s validity period.

For Online Tickets (Booked via IRCTC):

• Currently, date modification for online tickets is not supported by Indian Railways.
• Passengers are advised to cancel the existing ticket and book a new one with the desired date.
• Cancellation charges will apply as per the rules.

Key Points to Remember

• Date changes are only applicable to tickets with confirmed or RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) status.
• Tatkal tickets and waitlisted tickets are not eligible for modifications.
• Tickets can only be modified once, and changes are subject to seat availability.
• Carry valid ID proof for all changes.