Top News

As the festive season approaches, securing a confirmed train ticket during Diwali and Chhath has always been one of the biggest struggles for Indian travelers. With trains running at full capacity and waitlists stretching endlessly, passengers often face disappointment. To ease this festive rush, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has introduced a special Round-Trip Booking Scheme that promises both savings and convenience for passengers.

Under this scheme, travelers booking both onward and return tickets together will receive a flat 20% discount on the base fare of their return journey. This festive initiative is designed to provide relief to passengers who usually find it challenging to confirm return tickets after the festive celebrations.

Scheme Validity: Dates to Remember

The offer is available for a limited period and applies only to confirmed tickets booked under the scheme.

• Onward Journey (to hometowns): Between October 13, 2025, and October 26, 2025

• Return Journey (back to cities): Between November 17, 2025, and December 1, 2025

This carefully chosen timeframe ensures that passengers can conveniently travel to their hometowns before Diwali and Chhath, and return after the festivities without facing the usual ticketing chaos.

How to Book Round-Trip Tickets on IRCTC

Booking under this scheme is simple and user-friendly through the IRCTC Rail Connect mobile app. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Open the IRCTC Rail Connect app and go to the Train option.

Select the Festival Round Trip feature displayed on the booking screen.

Read the terms and conditions carefully and proceed.

First, book the onward journey by selecting trains that show CNF/Confirmed Availability (the offer is not valid on dynamic or flexi-fare trains).

Complete passenger details, make payment, and receive the PNR for the onward journey.

On the booking confirmation page, a prompt will appear for Book Return Journey (20% Discount). Click on it.

Choose the return journey date between November 17 and December 1, 2025.

Passenger details must remain the same as in the onward booking.

Select train and class; the 20% discount will be auto-applied on the base fare.

Complete payment and get your return PNR instantly.

Key Benefits for Passengers

This festive scheme is not just about discounts but also about providing peace of mind to passengers. Some of the major benefits include:

• Stress-Free Booking: No more panic about return tickets after festivals.

• Guaranteed Confirmation: Both onward and return tickets can be secured in one go.

• Direct Savings: A 20% reduction in base fare on return journeys.

• Avoiding Black Marketing: With confirmed return tickets, passengers don’t fall prey to touts or inflated black-market fares.

• Better Travel Planning: Families can plan trips confidently without worrying about last-minute ticket shortages.

IRCTC’s Customer-Centric Approach

Indian Railways has highlighted that this initiative is not just a promotional offer but a step towards enhancing the overall passenger experience. During the peak festive season, passengers often feel stressed about booking and confirmations. By introducing this round-trip discount, IRCTC aims to reduce uncertainty and ensure travelers can celebrate festivals with their loved ones without ticketing worries.

The scheme also helps in balanced seat allocation, as passengers are encouraged to plan both legs of their journey in advance, reducing the burden of last-minute bookings on the system.

Final Takeaway

With Diwali and Chhath being among the busiest travel seasons in India, IRCTC’s Festival Round Trip Scheme comes as a timely relief. By offering both discounts and guaranteed convenience, the railways are ensuring that millions of passengers can celebrate without the constant worry of ticket availability.

So, if you’re planning to travel this festive season, make sure to book your tickets under this scheme and enjoy hassle-free travel at a reduced cost.

---