In a major push to digitise railway dispute resolution, the Ministry of Railways has launched the e-RCT (Electronic Railway Claims Tribunal) system, an AI-enabled online platform that will allow passengers and consignors to file and track compensation claims digitally.
The reform, unveiled by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on February 26, is part of the Ministry’s “52 Reforms in 52 Weeks” programme and comes alongside the new Rail Tech Policy 2026, which promises higher support for start-ups and innovation in the sector.
The e-RCT is a fully digital platform for the Railway Claims Tribunal (RCT), enabling end-to-end online handling of railway compensation cases.
It covers claims related to:
Death or injury in railway accidents
Untoward incidents such as accidental falls from trains
Loss or damage of goods and parcels
Refund of fares or freight charges
All 23 RCT benches across India are being integrated into a single digital ecosystem, paving the way for a paperless, nationwide tribunal accessible from anywhere.
The platform is built around three core features:
24/7 e-filing: Petitioners can submit applications, affidavits and supporting documents online at any time. Acknowledgements are sent via SMS and email.
Case Information System: Cases are automatically assigned and can be tracked in real time, improving transparency and reducing uncertainty.
Digital Document Management: Notices, orders and filings are stored electronically with digital signatures and secure backups, creating a tamper-proof record.
Until now, claimants had to physically approach a specific RCT bench, often facing confusion over jurisdiction, especially in cases where incidents occurred outside their home state.
Under the new “anywhere-to-anywhere” model:
Claims can be filed online from any location in India
There is no need to travel to a particular bench
Jurisdiction-related hurdles are minimised through centralised digital processing
The minister said the entire system — from filing to final order — will be AI-supported, with all 23 benches expected to be fully digitised within 12 months.
The shift to e-RCT is expected to significantly reduce delays and costs for citizens.
Key benefits include:
No need for physical visits to tribunal offices
Lower legal and documentation expenses
Faster scrutiny of applications through AI-based error detection
Real-time updates and digital alerts
Quicker compensation processing through direct system integration with railway administrative departments
By reducing paperwork and manual bottlenecks, the government expects faster disposal of cases and improved transparency.
If successful, the digital tribunal model could be extended to other quasi-judicial bodies, including the Central Administrative Tribunal, as part of a broader push to modernise public grievance and claims redressal mechanisms.
For railway passengers, the message is clear: compensation claims are set to become faster, paperless and far more accessible.
