Indian Railways Ticket Transfer Rule: Did you know that you can change the name on a railway reservation ticket? Yes, Indian Railways now allows passengers to transfer a confirmed ticket to another eligible person under certain conditions. This long-awaited facility has brought relief to many travelers. But how can you apply for it? Whom should you contact? Let’s understand the complete details.

Unlike city buses, traveling on long-distance trains without prior planning is difficult because advance reservation is mandatory. Earlier, passengers could book tickets up to 120 days before the journey date. However, this period was reduced to 60 days due to passenger inconvenience and revenue concerns.

Railway officials observed that many tickets booked three months in advance were eventually cancelled. Since there was no provision for changing the passenger name earlier, people had to cancel tickets and often received only partial refunds. At the same time, some trains ran with empty berths due to last-minute cancellations. To address these issues, the Railways introduced the ticket transfer facility.

Conditions for Ticket Transfer

However, this facility cannot be misused for commercial purposes. During festivals and peak travel seasons, there is a risk of bulk booking and resale of tickets. To prevent this, Indian Railways has imposed strict conditions.

A reserved ticket can be transferred only to close family members, including:

• Father or mother
• Brother or sister
• Son or daughter
• Husband or wife

The transfer is allowed only after proper verification by railway authorities.

How to Apply for Name Change in Railway Ticket

If a passenger with a confirmed reservation is unable to travel, they must:

• Visit the reservation office.
• Contact the Chief Reservation Supervisor.
• Submit a written application at least 48 hours before the scheduled departure of the train.
• The Senior Divisional Commercial Manager and the Chief Reservation Supervisor have the authority to approve the name change.

Special Provisions

• This facility is not limited to individual passengers. It also applies to:
• Railway employees traveling on duty
• Student groups traveling to science exhibitions
• Pilgrimage groups such as devotees visiting Sabarimala

Wedding parties

• In the case of group bookings, up to 10% of the total tickets can be modified. Requests must be submitted before the train’s departure.
• However, tickets booked under special categories such as senior citizens and differently-abled persons cannot be transferred.
• This new rule is being widely welcomed by passengers, as it reduces unnecessary cancellations and financial loss while ensuring better seat utilization.