IRCTC No Food Option: Are Meals Now Mandatory on Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and Vande Bharat Trains?
Amid recent discussions and confusion online, many travelers have wondered if Indian Railways has made meals mandatory on premium trains like Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and Vande Bharat. Contrary to circulating rumors, the option to decline meals—known as the ‘No Food’ choice—has not been discontinued. Instead, the placement of this option on the IRCTC ticket booking interface has changed, causing some users to miss it during the booking process. Rail officials have clarified that this flexibility remains part of the booking process, meant to ensure passengers only pay for services they want.
How to Book Tickets Without Meals
If you don’t want meals included in your fare, you can still opt out while booking your ticket online. After choosing your train and entering the passenger details, scroll to the ‘Other Preference’ section on the reservation page. Here, you can select ‘I don’t want Food/Beverages’ before finalizing the booking. Recent software updates may have shifted this preference from its usual spot, so take care to review all options. When traveling in groups under a single PNR, everyone must make a unified decision—either all passengers opt in, or all opt out of meals. Individual meal selection per passenger is no longer available with the current system.
Current Status and What Travelers Should Know
Passengers should note that there’s no obligation to purchase onboard meals if they do not wish to. The confusion was mainly due to user interface changes and not an actual policy shift. If you book without meals, your ticket price will reflect this and catering charges will not be included. Travelers who bring their own food or prefer not to eat onboard remain free to do so, preserving both choice and savings for Indian train journeys.
