How to Change Boarding Station on IRCTC (Up to 30 Minutes Before)
Need to board your train at a different station than the one on your ticket? You can change your boarding point online on IRCTC. Since the rules revised in April 2026, you can do it up to 30 minutes before the train’s scheduled departure (earlier, only until chart preparation).
Rules for changing the boarding station
- Allowed for confirmed and RAC tickets; not for waitlisted tickets.
- You can change the boarding point only once per ticket.
- The new boarding station must be on the route between the original boarding and destination stations.
- Once changed, you can’t board at the original station, and the seat can be given to others if you don’t board at the new one.
- No refund of the fare for the section you don’t travel.
How to change your boarding station on IRCTC
- Log in at irctc.co.in or the IRCTC Rail Connect app.
- Go to My Transactions → Booked Ticket History and select the ticket.
- Click Change Boarding Point.
- Pick the new station from the list and confirm.
- You’ll get an SMS confirming the change.
Frequently asked questions
What is a boarding station?
The station where you actually get on the train, which can be different from the “from” station you searched.
Can I change the boarding point on a counter ticket?
Yes, at a reservation counter (or as allowed online), following the same rules.
Related guides
Official link: IRCTC. Easy Guide India is not affiliated with IRCTC.