Gallantry award winners get lifetime free train travel for family too
Centre extends lifetime free rail travel to gallantry medal winners from the Army, Navy and Air Force, and to their families
The central government has taken a major decision for gallantry medal winners from the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. Personnel who have shown valour for the country, along with their families, will now be able to travel free by rail across the country for life. This will bring major relief to eligible personnel and their families.
Under this facility, a gallantry medal winner's spouse will also be able to travel free by rail. If a gallantry medal winner died a martyr without marrying, this facility will be available to his parents instead. The decision is being described as a way to honour personnel who risked their lives for the country, and their families.
Eligible beneficiaries will get this benefit across different classes of rail travel, including first class, AC 2 Tier and AC chair car. This facility is not for a single trip or a limited period but is permanent, that is, for life. This will allow these personnel and their families to travel by rail to any corner of the country.
To avail this facility, eligible persons will first have to register online, on the Railways' Rail Concession Card portal. After registration, the information provided and the gallantry medal documents will be verified. Once eligibility is confirmed after verification, the person concerned will be issued an online e-pass.
This e-pass can then be used to book train tickets, so that a separate concession process will not be needed every time. Eligible beneficiaries will be able to book tickets through the Railways' online ticketing system, IRCTC, from November 1, 2026, it has been stated.
An important part of this decision is that the benefit will go not only to the gallantry medal winner but also to his family. A married personnel's spouse will get this facility, and the parents of a personnel who died a martyr without marrying will get lifetime free rail travel. The move is being seen as a gesture of gratitude toward the families of personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice for the country.
With travel permitted in first class, AC 2 Tier and AC chair car, travel for these personnel and their families will now be more comfortable. Overall, with online registration, document verification and ticket booking through IRCTC starting from November 1, 2026 once the e-pass is issued, the entire process is set to become simpler.
