New Delhi, Sept. 16 -- The Centre has extended lifetime free rail travel to Armed Forces personnel who receive the gallantry category of the Sena Medal, Nau Sena Medal and Vayu Sena Medal, along with eligible family members and one companion. The three service medals will now be covered under the railway travel concession already available to recipients of the six major 'Chakra' gallantry awards. The new system, approved by the government for railway concessions to gallantry award recipients, will be entirely digital and paperless. Eligible awardees will be able to book tickets through IRCTC from November 1, 2026, after registering on the Indian Railways Concession and Compensation Portal (IRCCP).
After identity verification, beneficiaries will receive an electronic travel document allowing them to travel in first class and in an AC chair car along with one companion.
The concession will also cover certain eligible family members. Spouses will be entitled to the benefit, while widows and widowers can avail it until they remarry. In cases where an unmarried Armed Forces member is awarded the gallantry medal posthumously, the concession will also be available to eligible parents.
The benefit is limited to the gallantry category of the three medals and does not apply to all recipients. The Sena Medal is awarded by the Army, while the Nau Sena Medal and Vayu Sena Medal are the corresponding service decorations of the Navy and Air Force.
The Ministry of Defence has introduced the digital system to simplify registration, verification, issuance of travel documents and ticket booking, while removing the need for physical railway concession documents.
The decision follows a government order on railway concessions for gallantry award recipients. A letter dated March 16, 2026, was issued in this regard. Rail Ministry officials did not respond to queries on the matter.
The extension comes in a year when the government has announced several measures recognising the service and bravery of Armed Forces personnel. Ahead of Republic Day 2026, the President approved gallantry awards for 70 Armed Forces personnel, including six posthumous awards.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.