Railways Told To Pay ₹9 Lakh To Student Who Missed Exam Due To Train Delay

Indian Railways has been directed to pay ₹9.10 lakh in compensation to a student from Uttar Pradesh who missed an important entrance examination after her train was delayed. The case was filed by Samriddhi Singh, a resident of Basti district, before the Consumer Commission. Singh was unable to appear for the BSc Biotechnology entrance test at Jai Narayan PG College on May 7, 2018, despite having a confirmed ticket on an intercity superfast train.

She was required to reach the examination centre by 12:30 pm. While the train was scheduled to arrive in Lucknow at 11 am, it was delayed by nearly two to three hours, leaving her unable to reach the venue on time. As a result, she lost an entire academic year. Notices were issued to railway authorities, including the Railway Ministry and the station superintendent, but no satisfactory response was received. Singh later approached the District Consumer Commission in September that year, seeking ₹20 lakh in compensation.

After a legal battle that lasted seven years, the commission delivered its verdict, noting that the Railways had admitted the delay but failed to offer a proper explanation. Under the order, Indian Railways must pay ₹9.10 lakh within 45 days, failing which the amount will attract 12 percent interest.