Indian Railways’ RailOne App Offer: 3% discount on unreserved tickets explained |

Booking railway tickets will now be cheaper. There’s one catch though. You will have to book the tickets using any digital payment mode. As per the reports, a 3% discount can be availed by the train passengers, on the purchase of unreserved tickets booked through the RailOne app using any digital payment mode. The scheme will be applicable from January 14, 2026, according to an official communication. In a letter dated January 8, 2026, addressed to the Southern Central Railway, the proposal aims to ‘proliferate digital booking’ by extending the benefit beyond the existing wallet-based cashback system.

At present, passengers booking unreserved tickets on the RailOne app receive a 3 per cent cashback only when payments are made through the R-wallet. Under the new scheme, this benefit is being expanded into a direct 3 percent fare discount applicable to all digital payment modes, including UPI, debit cards, credit cards and net banking, when used on the RailOne app.The proposal of 3 per cent discount shall be in force during the period 14.01.2026 to 14.07.2026. The letter also clarified that the existing 3 per cent cashback for R-wallet payments will continue alongside the new discount, giving passengers multiple digital payment options.

An official familiar with the matter explained that while cashback remains limited to R-wallet transactions, the new discount applies more broadly. “In the existing system, 3 per cent cashback is offered to prospective passengers who purchase unreserved tickets on RailOne app and make payments through R-wallet. However, in the new offer, a 3 percent discount will be given to the purchasers of unreserved tickets on RailOne through all digital payment modes,” the official said. The ministry also clarified that this offer is not available on any other online platform for unreserved ticket purchases.

The move is part of a broader push by Indian Railways to encourage cashless transactions and accelerate adoption of RailOne, its unified digital platform. RailOne has been designed to bring together multiple railway services that were earlier spread across different applications. Through RailOne, passengers can access services such as booking of reserved and unreserved tickets, live train tracking, PNR status, coach position information, food ordering during journeys, customer support and grievance redressal. The app allows users to log in using existing railway credentials and is available on both Android and iOS platforms. For many passengers, mainly those who commute daily or those who are especially short-distance travellers, who rely heavily on unreserved tickets, the discount can translate into meaningful savings over time. The railways believe that a direct fare reduction, rather than a post-transaction cashback alone, will help to make digital ticketing a more attractive and convenient mode of booking tickets. RailOne also offers a shift away from the earlier fragmented digital ecosystem, where passengers had to rely on separate apps, such as UTSonMobile for unreserved tickets and other platforms for additional services. Now, with the key UTS features gradually being integrated into RailOne, the railways aim and hope to provide a smoother and more comprehensive travel experience through a single application. As of now, the 3 percent discount scheme will remain under review, with CRIS expected to submit feedback in May 2026, after which the ministry will examine the next course of action.