New Delhi, October 2025: In a landmark move to enhance passenger convenience, Indian Railways has announced that starting January 2026, travellers will be able to reschedule the travel date of confirmed tickets online — a feature that eliminates the need for cancellation or rebooking.
This long-awaited feature, described as a “huge gift for the Janata,” aims to bring flexibility to millions of daily passengers who often face challenges when plans change at the last minute.
Under the new system, passengers can log in to the IRCTC website or mobile app and select a new date for their confirmed journey. The system will allow rescheduling without any additional charges.
Officials from the Ministry of Railways have confirmed that this update is part of a broader digital modernization initiative designed to make Indian Railways more passenger-centric and efficient.
With an annual ridership of over 8 billion passengers, the move is expected to significantly reduce the burden of cancellations and ticket rebookings.
The feature rollout will begin in January 2026, following pilot testing across select railway zones.
This initiative underscores Indian Railways’ commitment to “ease of travel” — combining tradition, technology, and trust to serve India’s ever-growing commuter base.
July 1 – September 12, 2025 | “Our Flexible Summer” Initiative
Dubai is setting a new benchmark for workplace flexibility and employee well-being with the launch of its innovative four-day summer workweek. Running from July 1 through September 12, 2025, this groundbreaking program is a key component of Dubai’s “Our Flexible Summer” initiative, supporting the broader goals of the Year of Community 2025.
🏛 Expanding on Success: A City-Wide Government Shift
Following a highly successful pilot in 2024, the initiative now rolls out to 21 government departments across Dubai, marking a significant milestone in the emirate’s commitment to modernizing the public sector and prioritizing quality of life.
🕘 Two Flexible Work Models
To suit different departmental needs and employee preferences, two distinct shift models have been introduced:
Model 1:
Workdays: Monday to Thursday
Hours: 8 hours per day
Friday: Full day off
Model 2:
Workdays: Monday to Friday
Hours: Reduced hours Monday to Thursday
Friday: Half-day schedule
Both models are designed to encourage rest, family time, and overall wellness while maintaining high productivity and public service standards.
💡 More Than Time Off – It’s a Lifestyle Shift
Under the banner of the “Year of Community”, the flexible workweek reflects Dubai’s forward-thinking leadership and people-first governance. The goal is to nurture a culture where employees thrive—at work, at home, and in their communities.
Benefits of the initiative include:
Improved work-life balance
Increased employee morale and mental health
Better family engagement during the summer months
Enhanced productivity and job satisfaction
💬 A Call to the Private Sector
Government officials are also encouraging private sector organizations to consider adopting similar flexible models. With global trends leaning toward shorter workweeks and remote work options, Dubai aims to lead the way regionally in progressive workplace reform.
“Our goal is to empower our employees to perform at their best while giving them the flexibility to lead fulfilling lives outside of work. This initiative is just one step in making Dubai not only a great place to work—but to live.” — Dubai Government Media Office
New Delhi, June 18, 2025 – In a move aimed at enhancing commuter convenience and reducing toll payment hassles, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, announced the launch of a FASTag-based Annual Pass priced at ₹3,000, effective from August 15, 2025.
The pass is designed exclusively for non-commercial private vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans, and is valid for one year from the date of activation or up to 200 trips—whichever comes first. This initiative is expected to streamline toll payments for regular inter-city travelers, daily commuters, and long-distance private motorists.
The new FASTag-based pass is a prepaid digital product linked directly to a user’s FASTag account. Once purchased and activated, it allows eligible vehicle owners to make 200 toll plaza trips over the course of 12 months without repeated deductions from their FASTag balance.
Key Features:
Price: ₹3,000
Eligibility: Private vehicles only (cars, jeeps, vans)
Validity: 1 year from activation or 200 trips (whichever is earlier)
Activation Mode: Via NHAI-approved FASTag issuing banks or portals
Minister’s Vision
“This pass is a step toward greater ease of travel for private vehicle owners,” tweeted Union Minister @nitin_gadkari. “It will simplify toll payments for frequent travelers and reduce congestion and waiting time at toll booths.”
The initiative aligns with the government’s ongoing commitment to digital India, green mobility, and efficient transport infrastructure. It also supports the broader use of FASTag, which has already become mandatory for all vehicles since 2021.
Who Benefits?
Daily commuters between cities or towns
Weekend travelers and tourists
Long-distance drivers using national highways regularly
Individuals looking to budget toll expenses in advance
How to Apply
Vehicle owners can apply for the FASTag Annual Pass through:
Official FASTag issuing banks
NHAI and NPCI-supported portals
Authorized FASTag mobile apps or customer service centers
The Ministry is also expected to roll out awareness and information campaigns to assist users in understanding the purchase and activation process before August 15.
Impact on Travel
The Annual Pass is expected to:
Offer cost savings to frequent travelers
Encourage more seamless highway journeys
Reduce cash transactions at toll booths
Promote digital toll payment adoption
As India continues to modernize its highway infrastructure, the introduction of the FASTag-based Annual Pass adds another user-friendly layer to toll collection. With travel demand increasing and digital payments becoming mainstream, this initiative reflects a commuter-first approach in road transport policy.
