IRCTC’s 2025 Clarification on Rail Neer Policy:These luxurious trains, including Rajdhani, Shatabdi Express, and Vande Bharat Express, traditionally offered meals as part of the ticket fare. However, a few months back, most of these trains have started providing an option to passengers to select a meal only or no meal also at the time of the ticket booking. Hence, a passenger can select the ‘No Meal / No Food’ option when booking, thus resulting in a ticket fare reduction if they decide to forego the onboard catering service.
This shift sparked confusion among many travelers and frequent users of these trains. The confusion? If someone opts out of meals, does that also mean they lose other perks, especially the complimentary drinking water bottle (branded Rail Neer) that previously came as part of the onboard service?
IRCTC’s 2025 Clarification on Rail Neer Policy
According to recent clarifications from IRCTC and railway officials: the bottled water provided on premium trains is independent of the meal option.
A senior IRCTC official told The Indian Express that even if passengers choose “No Meals,” they will still receive the complementary 1-litre Rail Neer water bottle on board.
Similarly, a guideline published by a major media site explained that the “No Food” option remains available in the booking interface (albeit moved under ‘Other Preferences’), and that this meal selection does not affect water bottle distribution.
In short: water remains part of the standard amenities for all passengers on Rajdhani Express regardless of whether they opted for meals or not.
So if you’re boarding Rajdhani and have selected “No Food,” you don’t need to worry, you’ll still get your complimentary Rail Neer.
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Common Passenger Concerns
This clarification is important for several reasons:
Many travellers prefer carrying their own food (homemade or bought outside) or simply don’t want to spend on onboard meals. They may opt out to save money. There’s reassurance now that opting out doesn’t mean giving up water.
Since the “No Food” option was moved in the booking flow (it is now under ‘Other Preferences’ instead of being close to class/quota), a lot of passengers took it for granted that the option was removed completely or were scared that it meant the loss of the services that go with it.
Water is an absolute must especially on long trips. By making sure that water is still free even if no meal is chosen, IRCTC takes care of the passengers’ comfort and thus, prevents any kind of contention or discontentment when the train is boarded.
What Passengers Should Know?
When booking through IRCTC (website or app), the “No Meals / I do not want meals” option is still present, but now appears under a different section (usually “Other Preferences” or “Catering Service Option”). Be sure to scroll down to see it.
Even after opting out, if you change your mind, it’s possible to order meals later via e-catering or onboard services (subject to availability).
Right after boarding whether you opted for meals or not you’re entitled to receive a complimentary 1-litre Rail Neer water bottle. If your journey is especially long or if there are delays (on certain trains) you may be eligible for additional water bottles under older railway circulars covering delays, though that benefit depends on journey duration and delay.
IRCTC’s 2025 Clarification on Rail Neer Policy: Recent Update
In November 2025, after confusion spread about whether opting out of meals would also deny water bottles, IRCTC issued an explicit clarification: the complimentary Rail Neer water bottle will be given to all passengers, irrespective of their meal choice.
Meanwhile, in September 2025, the railway board revised the retail price (MRP) of bottled water sold at stations and on trains: a 1-litre bottle now costs ₹14 (down from ₹15), and 500 ml bottles now cost ₹9 (down from ₹10). Though this affects priced bottles, the complimentary bottles provided onboard remain free.
