Indian Railways has rolled out a special IRCTC Round Trip Scheme for passengers this festive season, offering 20% discount on the base fare of return journey tickets. The scheme, valid around Diwali and Chhath festivals, aims to ease congestion, simplify bookings, and provide affordable travel options to lakhs of passengers.
What is the Indian Railways Round Trip Scheme?
The Round Trip Scheme allows passengers to book an onward journey first and then avail 20% discount on the base fare of their return ticket.
- Onward journey dates: 13 October – 26 October 2025
- Return journey dates: 17 November – 1 December 2025
The scheme is expected to help travelers secure tickets with ease during peak festive demand and reduce last-minute rush at reservation counters.
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How to Book Onward Journey Ticket Under the Railways Round Trip Scheme
Passengers can book tickets via the IRCTC Rail Connect Mobile App by following these steps:
- Open the IRCTC Rail Connect app and select the Train option from the home dashboard.
- Tap on Festival Round Trip to view scheme details and Terms & Conditions.
- Search for trains for the onward journey (between 13–26 October 2025).
- Select a train and class (excluding Flexi/Dynamic fare trains) with CNF/Confirmed Availability.
- Enter passenger details for both onward and return journeys.
- Complete the payment to confirm the onward ticket.
- After booking, you’ll receive a PNR and a confirmation page, which also includes the option to book your discounted return journey.
How to Book Return Journey With 20% Discount
Once the onward ticket is booked, the return journey can be reserved directly from the Booking Confirmation Page or the My Bookings section.
- Tap on “Book Return Journey (20% Discount)” to proceed.
- Check scheme details and confirm acceptance of the Terms & Conditions.
- Search for trains between 17 November – 1 December 2025 (source and destination stations are pre-selected).
- Select train and class (excluding Flexi/Dynamic fare trains) with Confirmed Availability.
- Verify that passenger details match the onward booking (mandatory).
- Pay the fare reflecting a 20% rebate on base fare.
- A new PNR will be generated for your return ticket.
Why This Scheme Important for Railway Passengers
- Savings on travel: 20% base fare discount on return tickets.
- Convenience: Single booking process for both legs of the journey.
- Festival relief: Helps tackle festive rush and provides smoother ticket availability.
- Digital ease: Entire process available through the IRCTC app, reducing dependence on counters.
Final Takeaway
The Round Trip Scheme by Indian Railways is a passenger-friendly initiative designed for the festive season. By providing both discounts and seamless booking, the scheme ensures better accessibility, convenience, and savings. Passengers planning travel around Diwali and Chhath 2025 should take advantage of this scheme for a hassle-free experience.
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