In a move aimed at expanding digital adoption, the Railway Ministry will offer a 3 per cent discount on the purchase of unreserved tickets through the RailOne app when payments are made using any digital mode. The incentive will be available for a six-month period from January 14 to July 14, 2026.
Currently, passengers booking unreserved tickets on the RailOne app receive a 3 per cent cashback only when payments are made through the R-wallet. The new initiative significantly broadens the scope of the benefit.
The decision was communicated in a December 30, 2026, letter from the Railway Ministry to the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS), directing it to implement the necessary software changes.
“In order to proliferate digital booking, it has been decided to provide the discount of 3 per cent while booking unreserved tickets through all digital payment modes on RailOne app,” the ministry stated in the letter.
The ministry further clarified that the proposal would remain in force from January 14, 2026 to July 14, 2026, and that CRIS would submit feedback on the scheme in May for further review.
Cashback via R-wallet to continue
Importantly, the ministry made it clear that the existing 3 per cent cashback for R-wallet payments will continue alongside the new discount scheme.
An official explained that while the current system rewards passengers with cashback after payment, the new policy offers an upfront discount at the time of ticket purchase when any digital payment method is used.
“In the existing system, 3 per cent cashback is offered to prospective passengers who purchase unreserved tickets on RailOne App and make payments through R-wallet. However, in the new offer, 3 per cent discount will be given to the purchasers of unreserved tickets on RailOne through all digital payment mode,” the official said.
Offer limited to RailOne app
The ministry also clarified that the discount will not be available on any other platform used for purchasing unreserved tickets online. The incentive is exclusive to the RailOne app, underlining its role as the Railways’ preferred digital interface for ticketing.
The move aligns with Indian Railways’ broader push towards cashless transactions and digital service delivery, especially for high-volume unreserved travel, which accounts for a significant share of daily passenger movement.
