Aviation experts are of the view that the new rules address a bulk of complaints from passengers. (AI image)

Booked an air ticket but had to cancel it? Effective today, the new Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) rules for refunds come into force easing passenger pain points on several accounts and also revoking some charges that have otherwise been implemented by airlines in the past.For example, airlines can now not charge you an additional fee for processing refunds. A timeline has been defined for processing the refunds, you will not be forced to keep your refund amount in a credit shell for future use etc.“The issue of refund of tickets by airlines has become a major source of grievance amongst airline passengers. A large number of complaints are regularly received,” said the DGCA in its circular issued late February, which made it clear that the new rules will be effective March 26, 2026.DGCA also held that the volume of complaints with regards to refunds is rising, necessitating action. “The matter has been discussed in several meetings with the airlines with no improvement in the system adopted by airlines for refund of tickets. It is now considered that the onus rests with the Government to fix some minimum bench marks, as far as the refund policy is concerned in order to stem the growing dissatisfaction among the passengers regarding the refund procedures adopted by some airlines,” DGCA explained.What type of complaints is DGCA looking to address?

The circular is clear that the change in refund rules underlines the ‘minimum requirements for refund of ticket’. This includes tickets for both domestic and international travel, booked with domestic and international airlines operating to and from India.

New Airline Refund Rules: Top Points To Know

Apart from this, recently the government asked airlines not to charge additional fee for seat allocation for up to 60% seats on domestic flights. Similarly, passengers on the same PNR have to be seated together. Currently, 20% of the flight seats can be booked free of charge.According to a PTI report, airlines are in the practice of charging anywhere between Rs 200 to Rs 2,100 for choosing seats.

How Do New Refund Rules Benefit Passengers?

Aviation experts are of the view that the new rules address a bulk of complaints from passengers. However, they stress on the need for effective implementation and also further steps to ease the gap between travel agent, portals and airlines.Ashish Chhawchharia, Partner and Aviation Industry Leader at Grant Thornton Bharat is of the view that the revised DGCA refund framework revises passenger rights and airline obligations, making the latter more accountable. “The most immediate benefit will be the reduction in refund timelines, mandating refunds within seven days for credit card transactions when purchased directly from the airline and 14 working days when purchased through agents/OTAs,” he tells TOI.“Further, by mandating that taxes, UDF and PSF needs to be refunded in all instances, DGCA has proposed to streamline and curb various extortionate practices often deployed by airlines or agents,” the aviation expert adds.

More clarity on the limits on cancellation charges and timelines for refunds will improve passengers’ confidence in the booking process and address one of the main passenger grievances.“It would have been beneficial if DGCA could have also introduced measures to the ever-increasing tariffs charged by the airlines for excess baggage and seat selection,” he adds.Dr. Preet Sandhu, Founder & MD, AVPL International tells TOI that the guidelines mark an important shift for passengers. “For many travellers, prolonged refund delays have been a source of genuine frustration, so this clarity and commitment to timelines will certainly bring relief,” he says.“The 48-hour free cancellation window for domestic flights booked at least 7 days in advance also offers people the confidence to review their plans without feeling financially locked in. These are practical steps that will make air travel less stressful for sure,” he adds.For Sandhu, one particularly meaningful correction is the requirement that airlines obtain explicit passenger consent before issuing credit shells. In the past, many passengers found themselves automatically moved to vouchers instead of receiving cash refunds. “Restoring that choice is important. It aligns India more closely with global aviation practices and could reduce grievances by an estimated 30 to 50 percent based on previous complaint trends,” he believes.

What Do New Rules Mean For Airlines?

Dr. Preet Sandhu says the operational implications for airlines cannot be ignored. “During large-scale disruptions such as adverse weather, refunding at this pace may tighten liquidity, particularly when bookings are routed through agents but responsibility rests with the airline. With cancellation charges capped at the basic fare plus fuel surcharge and processing fees no longer permitted, traditional revenue buffers will narrow,” he tells TOI.

“We have already seen the regulator take enforcement seriously, including the Rs 22 crore penalty imposed on IndiGo, which underlines the intent behind these reforms,” he notes.Ashish Chhawchharia of Grant Thornton Bharat says that compliance may not be a huge challenge for airlines in adapting their IT systems, however, adverse impact of these measures is expected on their cashflow cycles and working capital requirements. “This would be especially relevant in case of substantial refund requirements due to large scale disruptions such as weather events, geo-political events like we are witnessing at present or public health crises we faced during Covid,” he says.“Overall, these reforms address the bulk of passenger grievances including delayed refunds, hidden charges, and lack of choice. Yet, further measures could strengthen consumer protection, including automatic refunds triggered at cancellation and stricter enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance,” Ashish Chhawchharia adds.Dr. Preet Sandhu says that areas like agent mark-ups may still need further oversight, but the overall framework is moving in the right direction. As he concludes: These guidelines address long-standing concerns that we all faced around delays, forced vouchers, and opaque fee structures. The intent is constructive. The next phase will depend on consistent enforcement and technology-driven systems that can manage mass disruptions efficiently without compromising either passenger rights or operational stability.

MUMBAI: Even as Maharashtra performs strongly on economic indicators, gaps in women’s nutrition and early childhood development remain a concern, Chief Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal said at a state-level meeting in the city. Policymakers and sector experts outlined a roadmap to strengthen early childhood care and education (ECCE) systems.The conference, held at the Yashwantrao Chavan Centre, brought together senior officials, development sector leaders and grassroots practitioners working in the early childhood ecosystem.“While Maharashtra leads on many economic indicators, we must confront the reality of persistent gaps in women’s nutrition and early childhood development. Strengthening early identification and intervention, through better-trained frontline workers, streamlined systems and effective use of technology, is critical to improving outcomes. If we act in the first 1,000 days, we can significantly reduce developmental gaps and ensure every child has a fair start,” Aggarwal said.Minister for Women and Child Development Aditi Tatkare, in her keynote address, stressed the need to further strengthen ECCE systems, while Madhavi Sardeshmukh, who heads the state’s Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), highlighted the role of such platforms in aligning stakeholders and accelerating impact at scale.Discussions centred on early intervention and convergence, with a session on the “Golden 1,000 Days” emphasising the need for integrated action during a child’s formative years. Other sessions focused on translating policy into practice through state-level models and leveraging technology, including artificial intelligence, to strengthen anganwadi systems and improve service delivery.A key announcement was the launch of the Maharashtra Divyang Protocol, aimed at building more inclusive early childhood systems.The event, jointly organised by the Department of Women & Child Development and Rocket Learning, concluded with a discussion on aligning corporate social responsibility initiatives with government priorities. Participants underscored the need for sustained public-private collaboration.Officials, including district programme officers, child development project officers, supervisors and anganwadi workers from across Maharashtra, attended the meeting.

NEW DELHI: The government has ordered railway concessions in the form of lifetime complimentary free railway travel for gallantry medal recipients, defence officials said on Thursday.They added that each recipient may be accompanied by one individual, who would also travel for free.For a posthumous recipient, their parents or spouse are eligible to avail of the scheme. The spouse can continue to benefit from the scheme only until they marry, while in the case of parents, the benefit is available only if the recipient was unmarried at the time of their death.“The Government of India has issued an order to grant railway concession in the form of complimentary lifelong free travel in First Class/2 AC/AC chair car, along with one companion in trains of Indian Railways to the awardees of Sana/Nau Sena/Vayu Sena Medal gallantry awards/their spouse (widows/widower till their remarriage)/parents of unmarried posthumous awardees,” officials told news agency ANI.‘Framework of Cooperation‘ initiativeIndian Railways and the Army have introduced a “Framework of Cooperation” to expand post-retirement employment opportunities for Agniveers and serving Army personnel transitioning to civilian life.The initiative aims to smooth the shift to civilian careers, raise awareness of job prospects, and create a support system for retiring personnel, according to the Ministry of Railways.Under this, a 10% Level-2/above posts and 20% in Level-1 posts is reserved for ex-servicemen, while 5% of Level-2/above and 10% of Level-1 posts is reserved for retired Agniveers. In 2024 and 2025, 14,788 posts were reserved, including 6,485 Level-1 and 8,303 Level-2/above posts. Recruitment is conducted through RRCs (Level-1) and RRBs (Level-2/above) via competitive exams.To fill vacancies faster, ex-servicemen are being recruited as contract Pointsmen. Over 5,000 Level-1 posts are under processing, and 9 Divisions have signed MoUs with Army organizations for hiring.The framework also calls on Army recruiting bodies to coordinate with Railway Divisions to expedite these recruitments.(With ANI inputs)

As the IPL 2026 season approaches, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) find themselves at a crossroads. After two consecutive seasons of failing to secure a playoff berth, the franchise has undergone a radical transformation, moving away from past dependencies to embrace a high-octane, pace-heavy strategy. Renowned commentator and former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan recently took to his YouTube channel to unveil his ideal playing XI for the Lucknow side, stirring debate by excluding high-priced Australian recruit Josh Inglis in favour of a balanced, domestic-heavy lower order.

Pathan’s blueprint for LSG focuses on maximizing their new acquisitions, specifically following a series of high-profile trades that saw Mohammed Shami and Arjun Tendulkar join the ranks. By moving Shardul Thakur to Mumbai and releasing seasoned campaigners like Ravi Bishnoi and David Miller, the LSG management has signalled a shift toward raw pace and versatility. Pathan argues that the key to Lucknow’s success lies in the synergy between their overseas openers and a rejuvenated Rishabh Pant at the one-down position.

Irfan Pathan shares his firm take on overseas openers and the Rishabh Pant factor for LSG

The cornerstone of Pathan’s XI is the explosive opening duo of Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh. In a strategic plea to the ground staff at the Ekana Stadium, Pathan suggested that LSG should prepare seaming tracks to play to the strengths of these international stars.

“I wish Lucknow put up some good seaming wickets… so that the overseas openers find it comparatively easier,” Pathan noted on his You Tube channel, highlighting that a green Ekana could turn their home ground into a fortress for their pace battery.

Following the openers, Pathan slots Pant at No. 3. After a rollercoaster few years, a refreshed Pant is seen as the vital anchor and aggressor. However, the middle order faces a looming question mark: Nicholas Pooran. Despite his loyalty to the franchise, Pooran’s form has dipped since his international retirement, with his recent SA20 2026 stint showing signs of a downward curve. Pathan believes the rise of Ayush Badoni, who recently earned an Indian national call-up, will be crucial in absorbing the pressure if the senior internationals falter.

Also READ: SWOT analysis of Lucknow Super Giants: LSG’s report card ahead of the IPL 2026

Pathan picks his ideal Lucknow Super Giants XI for IPL 2026

The most significant changes in Pathan’s XI appear in the bowling department. The inclusion of Mohammed Shami provides LSG with a world-class Powerplay threat they lacked in 2025. Pathan’s XI rounds out with Avesh Khan and the emerging Digvesh Rathi, creating a balanced pace attack. Interestingly, Pathan opted for a flexible lower-middle order featuring Abdul Samad, Himmat Singh, and Shahbaz Ahmed, suggesting that the team’s depth allows them to pivot based on match conditions.

The Impact Player strategy remains LSG’s ace in the hole. Pathan listed a lethal rotation of Mayank Yadav, Anrich Nortje, and Mohsin Khan. This depth ensures that regardless of the pitch, LSG can deploy 150kmph+ thunderbolts to rattle opposition batters. By leaving out Inglis, a nearly 9-crore investment, Pathan is betting on a structure that favours domestic finishing over overseas wicketkeeping, a gamble that will be tested when LSG faces Delhi Capitals on April 1.

Pathan’s preferred XI for LSG in IPL 2026:

Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad, Himmat Singh, Shahbaz Ahmed/ M Siddharth, Mohammad Shami, Avesh Khan, Digvesh Rathi

Also READ: Yograj Singh lambasts Ravichandran Ashwin over remarks on Arjun Tendulkar ahead of IPL 2026

The moon has been a symbol of exploration for years. However, now it is not just a symbol of exploration but also a destination for long-term human presence. NASA has just announced its new plan to build a moon base for $20 billion. This is a huge step for space exploration and a new way of thinking for space organisations. This ambitious plan, which is associated with the Artemis program, will enable humans to live permanently on the surface of the moon. This plan will be executed by conducting multiple missions and developing new technologies to achieve this ambitious goal.

NASA’s $20 billion ‘Moon Base’ plan

The focus of the proposal by NASA is the establishment of a permanent base on the Moon in the next decade. This would be done through a series of missions aimed at building up the infrastructure on the Moon, thus allowing humans to return and stay for extended periods.The latest announcements suggest that the agency is planning to send several missions to the Moon and establish an “enduring presence” on the Moon, thus moving beyond the short-term goals set in the Apollo program.The latest plan by the agency is in line with the broader Artemis program, which has a focus on sustainable exploration of the Moon. According to the agency, the focus of the program is to develop “a sustained presence on and around the Moon” in preparation for deep space missions.

Why NASA wants a ‘Moon Base’

The rationale behind such an enormous investment is beyond mere exploration. The Moon is now considered an essential stepping stone to further space exploration, particularly to Mars.The major reasons behind this mission include:

NASA has stressed that the Artemis mission is intended to assist in demonstrating “key elements needed for the first human mission to Mars.” The lunar south pole is considered an ideal place because of its potential to obtain water ice as well as stable levels of sunlight.

How will the Moon Base be built

The development of a moon base will not be instantaneous but will be a gradual process. The development will occur in various stages. According to the plans, this will be a process that includes:

NASA’s Artemis Base Camp is already a concept that includes features such as a lunar cabin, mobility systems such as rovers, and facilities for staying for weeks or even months on the moon.In addition to this, it is also important to note that this will not be a one-nation mission but will be a collaborative effort involving nations across the globe.

Challenges of living on the Moon

As attractive as it may sound, however, establishing a moon base is not an easy task. Some of the serious challenges that come with the moon’s environment include:

Studies conducted by Cornell University indicate that even a moon base protected from harm will be constantly exposed to space particles, though this will be reduced to a large extent due to modern shielding.

Why is the plan so crucial

NASA’s $20 billion moon base is more than just an investment in space exploration; it is an investment in human aspirations. NASA’s plan is not just an investment in space exploration; it is an investment in human aspirations.The NASA plan could mean:

As NASA moves forward in its plan to build a moon base, the Moon is no longer just something in the sky; it is something we will soon call home.NASA’s plan to build a moon base is an audacious, complex plan that is full of challenges, but it is also full of promise. NASA’s investment in space exploration is an investment in humanity’s future. If successful, it could redefine humanity’s relationship with space. NASA’s plan could redefine humanity’s relationship with space by making the Moon a portal to humanity’s next great era of space exploration.

NEW DELHI: Batting maestro Virat Kohli’s mental toughness has long been a defining trait of his career, and stories from his early days continue to underline just how deep that resilience runs. From playing a Ranji Trophy match the day after his father’s death to dominating age-group cricket, Kohli’s journey has been built on defiance in the face of adversity.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Kohli’s former Delhi teammate Jagrit Anand sheds light on another instance from his Under-17 days where the batter rose above challenges — this time, even when a coach was not in his corner. Speaking on The Quiet Rise Podcast by Meha Bhardwaj Alter, Anand revealed that despite a prolific previous season, Kohli faced resistance from within the setup.