Union Budget 2026 bring a 50% discount on railway tickets? Major preparations underway at the Railway Ministry

The central government is reportedly preparing to announce a significant relief measure for senior citizens in the Union Budget scheduled to be presented on February 1, 2026. After being discontinued for nearly six years, the railway ticket concession for elderly passengers is likely to be restored. Sources suggest that positive discussions have taken place between the Finance Ministry and the Railway Ministry, increasing the possibility of an official announcement by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The concession was withdrawn in March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic as part of cost-cutting measures, but may now return in a modified form to support senior travellers.

According to preliminary details, women passengers aged 58 years and above could receive up to a 50 percent discount on train tickets. This would mean that a fare of ₹3,000 could be reduced to ₹1,500. Meanwhile, men aged 60 years and above are expected to be eligible for a 40 percent concession. Discussions indicate that the discount may initially be limited to Sleeper and 3AC classes. However, there is increasing demand from senior citizens’ groups to extend the benefit to higher classes such as 1AC and 2AC as well.

The railway concession for senior citizens was suspended during the pandemic due to a sharp fall in passenger revenue and rising operational costs. The move helped the government save an estimated ₹1,600 to ₹2,000 crore annually. With railway finances showing improvement and persistent demands from elderly passengers, the government is now considering restoring the benefit. Sources further indicate that the implementation process will remain simple. No special card will be required, and the concession will be applied automatically by mentioning age while booking tickets through IRCTC or at railway counters.