New Delhi, November 28, 2025: The Supreme Court of India, led by Chief Justice Arjun Mehta and Justices Rina Kapoor and Sanjay Bansal, questioned the Indian Railways on why accident insurance coverage is offered only to passengers who purchase their tickets online. The bench expressed concern over the exclusion of passengers buying tickets at physical counters, highlighting the need for equitable protection for all travelers.
During the hearing, officials from the Ministry of Railways, including Railway Board Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh and Member (Traffic) Anjali Verma, were asked to explain the rationale behind restricting insurance benefits to digital ticket holders and whether similar safeguards could be extended to passengers using offline modes. The bench emphasized that access to insurance should not be determined by the mode of ticket purchase, especially considering many travelers in rural and remote areas rely on physical counters.
The Railways officials assured the court that they would examine possible measures to make insurance coverage more inclusive, ensuring passenger safety and financial protection for all, regardless of how tickets are booked. The Supreme Court has directed a detailed response from the Railways within the next two weeks.
