A major welfare measure has been introduced for gallantry awardees of the Sena Medal, Nau Sena Medal and Vayu Sena Medal, along with eligible family members. The Ministry of Defence has sanctioned complimentary lifelong free railway travel in specified classes, with provision for one companion.
The implementation guidelines issued by the Integrated HQ of MoD (Army), Directorate General of Operational Logistics & Strategic Movement, Travel Section, provide the procedure for online registration, authentication, pass generation and railway ticket booking.
Railway Concession for Gallantry Awardees – Key Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligible awardees | Sena Medal / Nau Sena Medal / Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) awardees |
| Nature of benefit | Complimentary lifelong free railway travel |
| Travel class | First Class / 2nd AC / AC Chair Car |
| Companion | One companion |
| Online registration | From 15 September 2026 |
| Ticket booking | From 1 November 2026 |
| Registration portal | IRCCP |
| Ticket booking | IRCTC / PRS |
| Pass renewal | Every 3 years |
| IPIN validity | 24 hours |
The Government sanction cited in the Army communication states that the cost of this welfare measure will be borne by the Ministry of Defence.
Who Can Avail the Railway Concession?
The guidelines cover:
- Gallantry awardees of the Sena Medal
- Gallantry awardees of the Nau Sena Medal
- Gallantry awardees of the Vayu Sena Medal
- Eligible spouse of the awardee, including widow/widower as applicable
- Parents of unmarried posthumous awardees, as specified in the Government sanction
The communication describes the entitlement as lifelong complimentary travel, subject to the conditions and authentication process prescribed under the scheme.
Online Registration for Railway Pass
Online registration for beneficiaries commenced from 15 September 2026.
The beneficiary has to register through the IRCCP portal and upload the supporting documents required for verification. The application will subsequently be examined and authenticated by the appropriate Records Office.
For officers and eligible personnel, verification is to be carried out by the concerned Officers Record Office/Records Office, depending on the category of the beneficiary.
How to Register
The broad process is:
Step 1: Register online through the IRCCP portal.
Step 2: Upload the required supporting documents.
Step 3: Wait for verification and approval by the concerned Records Office.
Step 4: After approval, the beneficiary will receive a Unique Pass Number (UPN) and User ID on the registered mobile number.
Step 5: Use the generated credentials for railway ticket booking.
Documents Required
The documents vary according to the beneficiary category.
For serving personnel
The guidelines specify documents including:
- Self-attested PAN Card
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Serving Certificate
- Latest pay slip mentioning the gallantry award
The serving certificate and latest pay slip are specifically indicated for serving personnel.
For Retired Personnel, Widows and Parents of Unmarried Posthumous Awardees
The following documents are specified:
- Copy of PPO mentioning the gallantry award
- Copy of Ex-serviceman / Widow / Dependent Identity Card
These documents are required for establishing eligibility for the online pass.
When Will Railway Ticket Booking Start?
Although registration started on 15 September 2026, actual booking of railway tickets under the concession will commence from 1 November 2026.
Beneficiaries will be able to log in to IRCTC for online ticket booking. The step-by-step ticket booking procedure is scheduled to be hosted on the portal by 1 November 2026.
The UPN and Integrated Passenger Information Number (IPIN) can also be used for booking tickets through Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters.
IPIN Rules Under the New System
The guidelines prescribe specific controls for IPIN management.
- A maximum of four active IPINs can be available to a user at any time.
- Each IPIN remains valid for 24 hours from the time of generation.
- A new IPIN can be generated after an existing IPIN is utilised or expires, subject to the maximum limit of four active IPINs.
Is There Any Limit on the Number of Railway Tickets?
The guidelines state that there will be no restriction on the maximum number of rail tickets that may be booked, subject to the prescribed conditions.
However, the system will prevent multiple bookings for overlapping travel periods.
For example, if a beneficiary already has a booking for a particular date and time, another booking that conflicts with that journey will be rejected. To make a fresh booking for an overlapping period, the existing ticket must first be cancelled.
Online Pass Renewal
The online pass will be renewed once every three years, in accordance with railway norms.
Therefore, beneficiaries should keep track of the validity and renewal requirements to ensure uninterrupted utilisation of the concession.
Identity Verification During Railway Journey
Beneficiaries must carry and produce valid identity proof during the journey whenever required.
The verification mechanism is also to be integrated with the Hand Held Terminal (HHT) used by railway ticket-checking staff.
This is intended to enable railway personnel to verify the identity and proper utilisation of the concession during the journey.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Government sanction referred to in Army communication | 3 March 2026 |
| Army implementation guidelines issued | 4 September 2026 |
| Online beneficiary registration | 15 September 2026 |
| Railway ticket booking begins | 1 November 2026 |
| Online pass renewal | Every 3 years |
The implementation letter is dated 4 September 2026 and specifically mentions 15 September 2026 as the commencement date for beneficiary registration and 1 November 2026 for ticket booking.
Important Points for Gallantry Awardees
Beneficiaries should carefully ensure that:
- Their registration details are entered correctly.
- Supporting documents clearly establish their eligibility.
- The mobile number provided during registration is functional.
- The UPN and other credentials are kept secure.
- Existing bookings are cancelled before attempting another booking for an overlapping journey.
- Valid identity proof is carried during railway travel.
- The online pass is renewed as required.
The Army communication specifically places the responsibility for the security and rightful use of the online pass on the beneficiary.
Railway Concession for Gallantry Awardees – A Significant Welfare Measure
The new arrangement provides a structured online mechanism for eligible gallantry awardees and other specified beneficiaries to avail themselves of the railway travel concession. The system involves online registration, Records Office verification, digital pass generation and integration with railway ticketing and verification systems.
The Ministry of Defence communication has also requested concerned authorities to give wide publicity to these guidelines so that they reach the eligible awardees and beneficiaries.
Conclusion
Eligible Sena Medal, Nau Sena Medal and Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) awardees and other beneficiaries covered by the Government sanction can now register for the new railway concession through the prescribed online system.
Online registration: 15 September 2026
Railway ticket booking: 1 November 2026
Beneficiaries should follow the official registration and verification procedure and retain valid identity and supporting documents for hassle-free utilisation of the facility.
Source: Integrated HQ of MoD (Army), Dte Gen of Operational Logistics & Strategic Movement, Travel Section, Letter No. 22011/FB 67 E-Ticketing dated 4 September 2026.
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