Winning Bizness Desk
Mumbai.Indian Railways has introduced an experimental scheme aimed at people traveling home for Diwali and other upcoming festivals. The offer gives passengers a 20 percent discount on the return ticket if they book both the onward and return journeys together in one transaction. The move is designed to help regular train users who travel to their hometowns and back, and to manage ticket demand during the festive rush.
How the scheme works
The scheme applies only when onward and return tickets are booked together for the same train pair. For example, if you travel from Ahmedabad to Patna by Ahmedabad–Barauni Express (19484), you must return on the paired train Barauni–Ahmedabad (19483) to get the discount. All details on both tickets must be exactly the same, including the boarding and destination stations, passenger name, age, travel distance, and class of travel such as Sleeper, 3AC, or 2AC.
Booking and travel dates
Booking for this discount will open on 14 August 2025. To be eligible, the onward journey must be scheduled between 13 October and 26 October 2025. The return journey must be between 17 November and 1 December 2025. Tickets booked separately at different times will not qualify for the discount.
Trains covered and exclusions
The discount will not be available on trains with dynamic or flexi fare systems, such as Shatabdi Express, Rajdhani Express, Duronto Express, Suvidha Express, Vande Bharat Express, and Tejas Express. However, all other trains, including regular services and on-demand festival special trains, will be covered under this offer.
Aim of the initiative
According to railway officials, the scheme is being tested to see if it can reduce passenger inconvenience during high-demand festival seasons. By encouraging passengers to book return tickets in advance, Indian Railways hopes to reduce crowding, make better use of train capacity, and give passengers more certainty about their travel plans. If successful, the scheme may be extended beyond the current trial period.
Story in a nutshell
1. Indian Railways offers 20% discount on return ticket if booked with onward ticket together.
2. Scheme is on experimental basis for Diwali and other festivals.
3. Only applies to same train pair for both journeys.
4. Passenger details on both tickets must match exactly.
5. Onward travel: 13–26 October 2025; return travel: 17 November–1 December 2025.
6. Booking opens on 14 August 2025.
7. Not valid on flexi fare trains like Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto, Vande Bharat, Tejas.
