Lifetime rail travel for gallantry awardees: What the new defence benefit covers

New Delhi: The Ministry of Defence has approved lifetime train travel facilities across Indian Railways for recipients of the Sena Medal, Nau Sena Medal and Vayu Sena Medal awarded for gallantry, along with eligible family members.

Recipients of the Sena Medal, Nau Sena Medal and Vayu Sena Medal for gallantry will be eligible for lifetime train travel across Indian Railways under the new welfare measure approved by the Ministry of Defence.

The facility will cover First Class, Second AC and AC Chair Car travel.

The benefit will also extend to spouses of eligible gallantry awardees. Widows and widowers will continue to have access to the facility until they remarry.

The scheme also covers the parents of unmarried personnel who were awarded any of the three medals posthumously for gallantry.

Online registration and e-Passes

The Ministry of Defence has introduced an online process for beneficiaries to obtain the concession.

Eligible beneficiaries can register through the Indian Railway Concession Card Portal. After registration and authentication, electronic passes will be generated online.

Ticket booking using the approved concession facility through the IRCTC web portal is scheduled to begin on November 1, 2026.

The digital process is intended to simplify access to the travel benefit and reduce the need for beneficiaries to complete the concession process manually.

The measure extends the travel facility beyond gallantry award recipients to specified family members, including spouses and the parents of unmarried posthumous awardees.

The Ministry of Defence said the initiative forms part of welfare measures for decorated military personnel and their families, recognising the service and sacrifices associated with gallantry awards.