Supreme Court orders insurance for all Indian Railways counter tickets

The Supreme Court of India has directed Indian Railways to extend insurance coverage to all train tickets purchased at station counters, effective October 27, 2026. This mandate aims to provide offline passengers, including those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, the same level of protection currently available to online ticket holders.

A bench comprising Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R Mahadevan issued the order following concerns that previous assurances regarding passenger safety had not resulted in substantial improvements. The court expressed displeasure with the Ministry of Railways, noting that budgetary provisions for safety measures had not been fully utilized and that progress on the ground appeared minimal.

In addition to insurance, the court is overseeing broader safety issues, including the expansion of the Kavach anti-collision system, track fencing, and the construction of foot overbridges. The Railway Board has been warned that it will be held directly responsible for any failure to implement the insurance mandate by the deadline.