Railway passengers have received a major convenience boost, as Indian Railways has introduced a more flexible rule for changing boarding points.
In a press release, Southern Railway announced that from April 1, 2026, travellers can modify their boarding station much closer to departure time.
Under the revised system, passengers can change their boarding point until the second (final) reservation chart is prepared, effectively allowing updates up to 30 minutes before the train leaves its originating station. The facility is available both through the Passenger Reservation System (PRS) and online via the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) portal.
The change is intended to make travel more flexible and reduce inconvenience caused by last-minute plan changes. It is particularly beneficial in cities with multiple railway stations, where passengers may now choose a more convenient boarding location.
For example, if a traveller originally plans to board at Station 1 but later prefers Station 3 along the same route, they can update their boarding point accordingly, even shortly before departure. Earlier, such changes were only permitted before the reservation chart was prepared.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had said on March 24, 2026, that the new rule ensures passengers don't lose their confirmed seats if they miss boarding at the original station, as they can instead board from a subsequent station.
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The facility is available only to passengers holding confirmed or RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) tickets. The boarding point can be modified just once, and the request must be made before the final chart is prepared. Passengers with waitlisted tickets are not eligible.
How to change boarding point online
1. Log in to the IRCTC website or app
2. Go to My Account-- My Transactions-- Booked Ticket History
3. Select the ticket and click on "Change Boarding Point"
4. Choose a preferred station from the list displayed
5. Confirm the selection by clicking "OK"
6. A confirmation message will appear, and an SMS will be sent to the registered mobile number
Passengers with counter tickets can request the change by visiting the nearest PRS counter at a railway station.