FAQ ABOUT INDIAN RAILWAYS PASSENGER SERVICE

 Advance Reservation

What are the reservation rules?

For detail click on this link to get all the detail about rules of reservation

 http://www.indianrail.gov.in/resrules.html

Can I book a ticket from Bhubaneswar to Bangalore at Howrah?

Yes, you can. In fact, you can book your ticket for any train on the Indian Railways network, from any originating station to any destination* at any of the Computerized Reservation Centre’s, across the country. With the networking of New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Secunderabad and Chennai Passenger Reservation Systems, you can now book your onward and return journey tickets from any computerized Reservation Centre nearest to you – not just from major railway stations. This networking makes reservation of tickets faster and simpler.

* Reservations can be made subject to distance restrictions and availability of quotas.

How many days in advance can I reserve my ticket?

You can reserve your ticket 90 days in advance, excluding the date of journey at the train Originating station. At intermediate stations where the train arrives the following day, Reservation can be done 91 days in advance. In the case of some intercity day express trains, the advance reservation period is less.

 How do I know the reservation status of my ticket?

The reservation status will be clearly indicated in your ticket. If your ticket is confirmed, your coach and berth numbers will be mentioned on your ticket in all classes other than First Class and AC First Class. For these, the word “Confirmed” will be printed alongside the class of travel. If your ticket is in RAC (Reservation against Cancellation)/Waitlisted status, the same will be mentioned on the ticket.

 Can I board the train with a RAC ticket?

You can board the train with an RAC ticket. You will be provided with sitting accommodation initially and allotted a berth (in case of passengers not turning up) in the train.

How can I board a train in the reserved coach if I am not able to get a waitlisted ticket?

 If you don’t have any ticket, you may approach the Train Superintendent/TTE after purchasing an unreserved ticket from the booking office. The TTE will allot the accommodation, subject to availability.

How do I find out the current status of my unconfirmed ticket?

You can contact the Enquiry Counters at your nearest Computerized Reservation Centre or call 139 from your mobile, landline phone to The Interactive Voice Response System, available at major stations. Remember to always quote the 10 digit PNR Number indicated on the upper left hand corner of your ticket, to find out the current status. The current status of your ticket can also be obtained from the Indian Railways Passenger Information Website: www.indianrailways.gov.in.

How does the Railway Automatic Telephone Enquiry System work?

The railway telephone enquiry system is automated telephone enquiry system, which gives you details of accommodation availability and the current status of your tickets. Dial 139 from any mobile, landline phone of any network to get detail.

Tatkal Scheme

What is Tatkal reservation scheme?

i. To meet the urgent requirement of the passengers who plan their journey at short notice, Tatkal reservation facility has been provided in Sleeper Class, Air-conditioned Chair Class, 3-AC & 2-AC classes in almost all Mail/Express trains including special trains, which can be booked even on Internet.

ii. The advance reservation period under this scheme is two days excluding the day of journey.

iii. No proof of identity is required to be produced by the passenger seeking reservation under Tatkal Scheme, neither at the time of booking nor during the journey.

iv. The new tatkal charges will be at the rate of 10 per cent of basic fare for second class and 30 per cent of basic fare for all other classes subject to minimum and maximum charges for each class.The minimum charge for second class (sitting) is 10 rupees and the maximum will be 15 rupees, for sleeper class and AC chair car the minimum has been fixed at 75 rupees and the maximum at 150 rupees, while for AC III and AC II tier classes the minimum will be 200 rupees with the maximum being 300 rupees.

v.Tatkal tickets will be issued for actual distance of travel, instead of end-to-end, subject to the distance restriction applicable to the train.The same tatkal berth/seat may be booked in multiple legs till preparation of charts. At the time of preparation of charts, unutilized portion may be released to the General RAC/Waiting list passengers.

vi. Tatkal facility  introduced in executive class of Shatabdi Express trains also, by earmarking 10 per cent of the accommodation available that is five seats per coach

For Further detail click this link - http://www.indianrail.gov.in/tatkal.html

What do I do, if I cannot plan my journey in advance?

Though it is always advisable to plan your journey well in advance, there may be times when this is not possible. For such situations, Indian Railways have introduced the Tatkal Scheme

in Sleeper Class, AC Chair Class, 3-Tier AC and 2-Tier AC classes in almost all Mail/Express trains. The reservation under this scheme commences at 8 a.m. on the previous day for which the

reservation is being sought. Tatkal Bookings two days before excluding the date of journey i.e., for journey on 3rd, the booking would be starting at 8 a.m. on 1st. for further detail click on this link

http://www.indianrail.gov.in/tatkal.html

Refund

What are the rules for refund against cancellation of a reservation ticket?

A flat refund of 25% of total fare charged on the ticket, excluding Tatkal charges may be granted on cancellation of confirmed Tatkal tickets, which are presented for cancellation up to

24hrs. before the scheduled departure of the train. However, full refund of fare and Tatkal Charges will be granted on the confirmed Tatkal tickets booked under this scheme in the following circumstances:

i) If the train is delayed by more than 3 hours from the train originating station;

ii) In case of non-attachment of coach in which Tatkal Accommodation has been earmarked and the passenger has not been provided accommodation in the same class.

iii) If the party has been accommodated in lower class and does not want to travel. In case the party travels in lower class, the passenger will be given refund of difference of fare and also the difference of Tatkal charges, if any. Normal Rules applicable for grant of refund on wait list/partially confirmed tickets will also be applicable to the waitlisted and partially confirmed Tatkal Tickets.

Can I get refunds across the counter?

In most cases, if your tickets are surrendered for cancellation within the prescribed time limits, you can get refunds across the counter.

What are the prescribed time limits?

a) Where the ticket issuing and journey commencing stations are the same and in cases where they are different (like/onward tickets), the ticket should be surrendered at the journey commencing station within the following time limits:

b) If the ticket has been issued for travel from some other stations, refund can be obtained at the ticket issuing station before the train departs.

c) Refund can also be obtained from a station other than the ticket issuing and journey commencing stations. In such cases, the ticket should be surrendered during working hours, before the preparation of Reservation Chart. Refund will be admissible subject to verification. For trains departing between 21.00 hours and 06.00 hours, you can get a refund either within the prescribed time limits or within four hours of opening of the Reservation Office, whichever is later.

 What about refunds after the prescribed time limits?

If you have not cancelled the tickets within the prescribed time limits you can approach the Deputy Station Superintendent (Commercial)/Station Manager or Chief Reservation Supervisor of nominated stations. They are authorized to grant refunds on tickets issued from their stations by condoning the delay in surrendering the tickets for cancellation. You must also satisfy the Station Manager that your ticket is not used.

Suppose I am unable to approach the concerned authorities, what do I do?

In such cases, you must obtain a Ticket Deposit Receipt (TDR) from the nearest major station within 30 days from the date of scheduled travel. You must then submit an application in the

prescribed from to the Chief Commercial Manager (Refunds) of the Zonal Railway to which the Ticket Deposit Receipt-issuing station belongs. The application should be accompanied by

the passenger foil of the TDR. Distance of your journey Time limit for cancellation (After the scheduled departure of the train)

Up to 200 Kms. 3 hrs.

201 to 500 Kms 6 hrs.

Over 500 Kms. 12 hrs.

This application must be submitted within 90 days from the date of your journey. The refund officer will examine the case on merit and, if decided, refund will be sent to you by a Station

Pay Order (to be encashed at station) or Money Order or Crossed Cheque.

Will the entire amount be refunded or will I lose some money?

The fare you paid for your ticket will be refunded after deducting cancellation charges.

How much will be deducted as cancellation charges?

The amount deducted is based on the time of cancellation and the status of your ticket. Detailed explanations are given below. For cancellation of confirmed tickets more than one

day in advance of the scheduled departure of the train, excluding the date of journey, the minimum cancellation charges based on the class of travel are as follows: Flat cancellation charges per passenger.

Class of your ticket

Rs.70/- AC First/Executive Class

Rs.60/- AC Chair Car/ First Class/ AC 2Tier/ AC 3 Tier

Rs.40/- Sleeper Class

Rs.20/- Second Class

For cancellation of confirmed tickets less than one day in advance, excluding the date of journey and up to four hours before the scheduled departure of the train, the cancellation charges will be 25% of the total fare paid by you. For cancellation of confirmed tickets less than four hours before the scheduled departure of the train and up to the prescribed time limits as mentioned earlier, after actual departure of the train, the cancellation charges will be 50% of the fare paid by you, subject to flat cancellation charges for each class.

For cancellation of RAC/Waitlisted tickets up to the prescribed time limits, full refund of fare will be given, after deducting the clerkage charges per passenger. If you are having a ticket with several legs of journey, if the first leg of the journey is confirmed the whole ticket will be treated as a confirmed ticket for purposes of applying cancellation /refund rules. On the other hand if the first leg of the journey is in the waiting list, even if the all the other legs of onward journey are confirmed, the whole ticket will still be treated only has a waitlisted ticket for purpose of granting refund.

Can refund be claimed if the AC fails during the journey?

Yes, passengers traveling by air conditioned class can claim refund if the AC fails enroute. You can get a refund of difference of fare for the distance the AC was not functioning. This refund should be claimed immediately at the end of the journey or within 20 hours of the arrival of the train at the destination, on production of the ticket and certificate issued by the Travelling Ticket Examiner.

Can I claim refund, if I had to travel in a lower class, even though I had a higher class ticket?

If you were forced to travel in a lower class for want of accommodation, you can get a refund of difference of fare between fare paid and fare for the class actually traveled. This refund should be claimed within 2 days of the date of issue of the certificate (excluding the date of issue) of the arrival of the train at your destination. To claim this refund, you will need to submit your ticket along with the certificate issued by the Travelling Ticket Examiner.

I had a reserved ticket but I was not provided accommodation. Can I ask for full refund?

If you were not provided accommodation due to unforeseen circumstances, you are entitled to full refund of the fare paid by your without any deductions. To claim this refund, you should

surrender your ticket at the journey originating station within three hours after the actual departure of the train.

Will I be able to get a refund if I do not wish to travel due to late running of trains?

If your train is running late by more than three hours, you can get a refund of full fare paid by you without any deductions. You can claim this refund at the journey commencing station

within the maximum time limits mentioned earlier.

I could not continue my onward journey due to late running of the connecting train. Can I claim a refund?

After deducting fare for the traveled portion, you will be refunded the balance fare. To claim this refund, you are required to surrender your ticket at the station, within three hours of the actual arrival of the train which has been delayed.

Can I claim full refund, if my train is cancelled?

If your train is cancelled due to accidents, breaches or floods, you will be refunded the full fare paid by you. To claim this refund, you should surrender your ticket within three days of the

scheduled departure of the train.

What about refund for a ticket where some passengers are Confirmed and other are Waitlisted?

In combined tickets, where few passengers are Waitlisted and others are Confirmed, you will be given full refund less clerkage charge in respect of all passengers, if such tickets are cancelled within four hours of the scheduled departure of the train and up to three hours after the actual departure of the train.

Can I get a refund on a ticket that I have lost?

No, you cannot get any refund on lost ticket. However, you will be allowed to travel on the reservation already made, after paying the prescribed charges for the issue of a duplicate ticket. In your own interest, you are requested to inform the Reservation Office immediately about the loss of your ticket. This will also help prevent fraudulent refund claims.

How much will it cost me to get a duplicate ticket?

If the loss of your Confirmed/RAC ticket is reported before the preparation of the Reservation Chart, a duplicate ticket will be issued on collection of the clerkage charge per passenger. In case of the loss of your confirmed ticket is reported after preparation of the Reservation Chart a duplicate ticket will be issued on collection of 50% of the fare. No duplicate ticket will be prepared after preparation of Reservation Chart in case of RAC/Waitlisted tickets.

Are the duplicate ticket charges refundable. If I find the original ticket?

If your original ticket is found and presented along with your duplicate ticket, before the departure of the train, you will be refunded the amount paid for your duplicate ticket. However, 5% of the total amount will be deducted, Subject to a minimum of Rs.20/-.

My little son tore my ticket. Can I get a duplicate ticket?

If the ticket that was torn/mutilated was a Confirmed one or RAC, a duplicate ticket will be issued on collection of 25% of the fare, after the preparation of Reservation Chart. Before

chart preparation, charges are same as applicable for issue of duplicate ticket in lieu of the lost/misplaced ticket. No duplicate ticket will be issued in case of mutilated Waitlisted tickets. Besides, refund is admissible on torn/mutilated ticket if its genuineness and authenticity are verified on the basis of particulars visible on the face of such a ticket.

What is clerk age charge and when is it levied?

Save as otherwise mentioned, clerk age is a charge levied for the clerical work rendered in refund of fares on cancellation of unreserved, waitlisted & RAC tickets. The amount of clerk age charge is Rs.20/- per passenger, except for second class unreserved tickets where it is Rs.10/-.

How much refund is given on surrendering unused unreserved ticket?

If an unused unreserved ticket is presented for cancellation, full fare is refunded after deducting the per passenger clerk age charge provided that the ticket is surrendered at the ticket issuing station.

i) Within 3 hours after the actual departure of the train for which the ticket was issued or

ii) Within 3 hours after the actual departure of the last train of the day for the destination station, for a ticket valid for whole day.

Where I can see all the Refund rules of Indian Railways?

Click on this link to see all the Refund rules

http://www.indianrail.gov.in/refund_rules.html

Passenger Amenities

Are bedrolls given free to passengers traveling in AC Coaches?

Yes, bedrolls are supplied free of cost, to all passengers traveling in AC First Class, AC 2-Tier and AC 3 –Tier.

Do catering facilities available in all the trains?

Yes. Most of the important trains have pantry car facilities. The details of trains which offer pantry car service are indicated in the timetables by “P”. Catering is also arranged in trains where this facility is not available.

How do I avail of the catering facilities on board?

You could contact the train conductors/coach attendants or other authorized catering staff of IRCTC.

What about catering facilities at stations?

Most important stations have vegetarian and non-vegetarian refreshment rooms and light refreshment stalls managed by IRCTC. The detailed menu and tariff are displayed in the refreshment rooms.

How can I be sure of the quality of catering services on trains and at stations?

To ensure proper and good quality catering services on trains and at stations, passengers are requested to:

· Place their orders for meals well in advance, with the Coach Attendant/Conductor or Waiters in Trains to facilitate information being sent to the serving stations.

· Insist on a cash memo for all catering services ordered.

· Consult the menu and tariff cards displayed in or available at Restaurants/Refreshment Rooms/ Pantry Cars.

· Record your suggestions of complaints in the book maintained for this purpose in the Refreshment Rooms. The complain book is also available with the Train Conductor and also with the Pantry Car Manager. It may be called for, at any time, by the passenger, or you can book your complaints at the All India toll free number 1800-111-139

What is the rate of Standard Menu all over Indian railways?

Click on this link to get the rate list

http://irctc.co.in/irctc_menu.html

What is the rate of A-LA-Carte items all over Indian Railways?

Click on this link to get the list of rates of A-LA-Carte items all over Indian Railways

http://irctc.co.in/alacarte.html

What is the menu of food in Rajdhani Express?

Click on this link to get menu of Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner in Rajdhani Express

http://irctc.co.in/cyclicMenuRajdhani.html

Is medical assistance available on trains?

Guards/Train Superintendents or Pantry Car Managers are equipped with First Aid Boxes. They are also trained to provide first aid to passengers. In case of emergencies, you can approach the Traveling Ticket Examiner/Train Superintendent, who will pass on a message to the next station where a doctor will attend to the emergency. Medical treatment will be provided by the doctor on payment of reasonable charges. In case hospitalization is required, the passenger may have to discontinue his journey. Details of medical practitioners and hospitals along with their addresses are displayed at major stations. On alighting from the train, passengers in need of medical assistance may contact them.

If I am breaking my journey or waiting for a connecting train can I keep my luggage in the Cloak Room?

Yes, you can. Cloak Rooms and Safety Lockers are available at major stations where your luggage can be kept in safe custody. But do remember; only luggage that has been locked will be accepted in the Cloak Rooms. Your luggage, duly locked, can be kept in the Cloak Room for a maximum period of one month, on payment of prescribed charges.

Do I need to pay to use the Waiting Room at a station?

Waiting Rooms are available at major stations for use by genuine passengers. These can be used free of cost on production of your journey tickets for a few hours till the connecting train

arrives.

Is there any transit accommodation available at stations?

Yes, there is. You can stay at the AC and Non AC Retiring Rooms and Dormitories, available at important stations. This transit accommodation can be availed by passengers holding valid

tickets, on payment of prescribed charges. You can approach the Station Manager or Matron to find out about the availability of accommodation and the prescribed charges.

Is there any other accommodation available besides Retiring Rooms and Dormitories?

There is the Rail Yatri Niwas, where passengers can book independent rooms or dormitories, on production of tickets. This accommodation is available at a reasonable cost. The Rail Yatri

Niwas also has a self-service restaurant. Currently, this facility is available only at New Delhi and Howrah Railway Stations.

Do the Railways have hotels at important tourist spots?

Currently, Railway Hotel at Puri in Orissa. This hotel combines old-world charm with modern amenities. This hotel is renowned heritage properties offering luxurious accommodation, excellent cuisine and warm, personalized service.

How do I book accommodation at these Hotels?

In Puri, you could contact the Manager, IRCTC, at Tel.No:06752-222063, 223606 Fax: 223005. For accommodation at the Railway Hotel.

What are the accommodation charges for the Railway Hotel at Puri?

Accommodation charges for Railway Hotels, Puri

Single Room Rs. 600/- (on AP), Rs.400/-

Double room (Non-A/C) Rs.1200/- (on AP) Rs.750/-

Double room (Non A/C Ground Floor) Rs.1000/- (on AP), Rs.650/-

Double room (A/C) Rs.1500/- (on AP), Rs.900/-

Triple bed room (Non A/C) Rs.1700/- (on AP), Rs.850/-

 What are the other amenities available to passengers?

150 ‘A Class’ stations have been identified for providing booths having a prominent pictorial sign that assistance is available to physically challenged persons. There are self-help trolleys

at all major stations for the convenience of passengers carrying heavy luggage. There are stretchers and wheel chairs for the use of sick and aged passengers at select stations. You

can contact the Station Managers or RPF Assistance Posts to make use of these facilities. The other facilities available at important stations include: Medical Shops, Book Shops, Tourist Information centres, Post & Telegraph Offices etc. Because Indian Railways cares….As a customer-oriented organization, Indian Railways values your feedback. Any suggestions for improvement are welcome. All complaints will be looked into promptly and addressed at the earliest.

Whom do I contact if I have any complaints?

Indian Railways has a well-organized Public Grievance Redressal Machinery that will take prompt action on any complaints you may have. You can record your grievances in the Complaints Book kept for this purpose at: Out Agencies, Town Booking Offices, Major Goods Sheds, Parcel Offices, Reservations Offices, Refreshment Rooms, Pantry Cars, etc. Alternatively, you could also approach the Public Grievance Redressal Booths at major stations for on-the-spot action. At the Divisional level, Additional Divisional Railway Managers can be approached for redressal of grievances in respect of their divisions. You can also approach the Additional General Manager of each Zonal Railway, who has been designated as Director of Public Grievances. At the Ministry level, you may contact Executive Director (Public Grievances) at Tel. No. 011-23184955.

If I have any suggestions or complaints about the catering facilities or other passenger amenities, whom do I get in touch with?

Indian Railways has Special Cells functioning at the Ministry and Zonal level to deal with complaints regarding passenger amenities, punctuality catering facilities. The details of these Special Cells can be ascertained from the respective Zonal Railways. Now complaint Monitoring Cells have also been established at Corporate Office, Zonal/Regional Offices of IRCTC for Catering Services.

Miscellaneous

What is the up gradation scheme? What are its salient features?

With a view to optimize the utilization of available accommodation in train, a scheme to upgrade full fare paying passengers to the next higher class against the available vacant accommodation has been introduced in all Mail/Express trains having sleeping accommodation w.e.f. 24-02-2006. The salient features of the scheme are given below:-

(i) The scheme is applicable to only full fare paying passengers, free of charge.

(ii) It is applicable only in those trains having sleeping accommodation,

(iii) The passengers for up gradation will be selected on random basis by the System at the time of preparation of reservation charts,

(iv) Up gradation of passengers will be done as under:-

· Sleeper to 3 AC or First Class

· 3 AC to 2 AC

· 2 AC to 1 AC

(v) Upgradation will not be done for block booking transactions,

(vi) If there is no waiting list, no up gradation will take place,

(vii) If a passenger, who has been upgraded, cancels his ticket, cancellation charges of the original class only will be payable.

Can I book my tickets on a Credit Card?

Yes. For your convenience, Indian Railways have exclusive counters where you can reserve your tickets through credit cards. This facility is presently available only at important Computerized Reservation Centers. An additional service charge of Rs.30/- is levied when your reserve your tickets on a Credit Card.

Can I book my tickets through Mobile Phone?

Yes. You can book reserved tickets through mobile phones. The procedures for booking are similar to that of booking tickets through Internet. For details, please visit www.irctc.co.in.

Can I book my tickets through Travel Agents?

Yes, you can approach authorized Rail Travelers’ Service Agents and Railway Tourist Agents who will book your tickets on payment of prescribed charges. No separate reservation quotas have been assigned to these agents and their staff has to take their turn in the queue at the Reservation Office for purchasing tickets like any other passenger. Addresses and phone numbers of these Travel Agents can be obtained from the Station Managers. Please do not buy tickets from unauthorized Travel Agents.

How to locate authorized Rail Travelers Service Agents (RTSA) in my place?

Click on this link and type your town pin code to get the list of authorized Rail Travelers Service Agents in your area

http://www.irctc.co.in/cgi-bin/bv60.dll/irctc/enquiry/FindAgents.do?click=true

What Facilities available for International tourist?

To get full detail click on this link

http://www.indianrail.gov.in/intert.html

Are there any special facilities provided by Indian Railway for foreign tourists?

Yes. Foreign tourists, who wish to experience India by train, can enjoy the special facilities earmarked for them. These are explained below in greater detail.

Special Quota: Several important trains have a special quota for foreign tourists. This can be availed on payment of US Dollars or Pound Sterling. Tourists without foreign currency, will be

allotted the special quota on production of the exchange certificates issued by any nationalized bank. At the time of reservation, the passport number and the country of origin should be mentioned.

Assistance Cells: Major Reservation Centers have special Cells to help foreign tourists plan their itinerary, reserve their tickets and render any assistance required. The International Tourist Bureau situated on the first floor of New Delhi Railway Station provides personalized service and assistance to foreign tourists and NRIs regarding reservations, itinerary planning and other enquiries. This Bureau is manned by trained staff and tourist guides, fluent in foreign languages. For any assistance, please contact: The Manager, International Tourist Bureau, I Floor, New Delhi Railway Station, New Delhi – 110 001. Tel: 011-23405156, 23346804. Fax: 011-23343050.

Indrail Pass: This travel-as-you-please ticket has been created especially for foreign tourists and Indian nationals residing abroad. This ticket is available during specified time period from

½ day to 90 days. Indrail Passes should be used within one year of issue. Validity period starts from the date of the first train journey and ends on the midnight of the last journey.

During the period of validity, foreign tourists can travel from anywhere on the Indian Railways network without route or train restrictions and without payment of any additional charges.

What is the cost of the Indrail Pass?

The cost of the Indrail Pass varies with the class of travel and the validity period. For your convenience, these details are given below:

Where are Indrail Passes available?

In India, Indrail Passes are available for sale in Railway Reservation Offices at: Ahmedabad, Aurangabad, Bangalore, Howrah, Chennai, Gorakhpur, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Mumbai, New Delhi, Pune, Secunderabad, Thiruvunanthapuram Central, Vadodara, Varanasi and Vasco-da- Gama. Certain recognized Travel Agents are also authorized to sell these passes in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. Indrail Passes are also sold through General Sales Agents in Bahrain, Bangladesh, Finland, Germany, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nepal, Oman, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the UAE and the UK.

Can I prepone or postpone my reservation?

The date of journey on Confirmed/RAC/Waitlisted tickets can be preponed or postponed in the same/higher class or for a longer distance on payment of nominal charges. This facility can be

availed only once, irrespective of whether the accommodation available is reserved or RAC or wait-listed. If you want to prepone the date of your journey, you should surrender your ticket during working hours and up to six hours before the schedule departure of the train in which fresh reservation is required. For postponement, the ticket must be surrendered at least 24 hours

before the schedule departure of the train in which reservation is presently held. Such changes can be made only once.

Can I change the boarding station?

Yes, you can. All you have to do is submit a written request to the Station Manager of the Original boarding station or contact any Computerised Reservation Centre, at least 24 hours

before the department of the train. However, no refund is permissible for the unused portion of the journey. Such changes can be made only once.

Can I break my journey at any intermediate station?

If you hold a journey ticket for more than 500 kms, you can break your journey once for two days at any station enroute. This facility can be availed only after traveling 500 kms from the

starting station. If your ticket is for more than 1000 kms, you will be allowed to break your journey twice. The day of departure and arrival must be excluded while calculating the number of eligible days for break of journey. And remember to get your ticket endorsed by the Station Manager/Ticket Collector at the station where you intend to break your journey. Note:

· For through passenger, any halt at intermediate station for less than 24 hours to catch a connecting train will not be treated as break of journey.

· This facility is not available to passengers traveling by Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Jan Shatabdi Express trains.

· This facility is not permitted short of the station up to which reservation has been done.

· Intention to break journey is to be advised at the time of original booking and not after obtaining reservation.

What are the rules of Break Journey in Indian Railways?

Click on this link to get the full details

http://www.indianrail.gov.in/break.html

Can I extend my journey beyond the original destination?

Yes, Indian Railways allow extension of journey. This can be done by approaching the ticket checking staff either before reaching your destination or after completion of booked journey. The fare for the extended portion of the journey will be collected without the benefit of telescopic rates.

Can I upgrade my ticket to a higher class, enroute?

Your reserved ticket for a lower class can be upgraded to a higher class for the same train and date, subject to availability of accommodation. The upgrading of accommodation can be done

only once on collection of fresh reservation charges and the fare difference. This can also be done during the journey by approaching the Travelling Ticket Examiner.

Can my confirmed ticket be transferred to somebody else?

If you are holding a confirmed ticket and are unable to travel, your ticket can be transferred to your family members viz., father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter, husband or wife. To

transfer your ticket, you must submit your request atleast 24 hours in advance of the scheduled departure of the train.Tickets can also be transferred.

· To another Government Servant traveling on duty, atleast 24 hours in advance of the scheduled departure of the train.

· To other students of recognized Educational Institution when the Principal/Head makes a request at least 48 hours in advance of the scheduled departure of the train.

· To other members of the marriage party, if the head of such a party makes a request at least 48 hours in advance of the scheduled departure of the train.

· To other cadets of NCC, if the head of the group makes a request atleast 24 hours in advance of the scheduled departure of the train. Such changes can be made only once. If the request does not exceed 10% of the total number of group members.

What are the Rules of carrying Luggage in Indian Railways?

Click on this link to get full details

http://www.indianrail.gov.in/rules_for_luggage.html

What are Circular Journey Tickets?

If you wish to go on a pilgrimage or sightseeing trip to many destinations, Indian Railways provide the facility of booking Circular Journey Tickets. These tickets offer you unique travel flexibility, as they are issued for all journeys (other than regular routes) which begin and end at the same station. Circular Journey Tickets can be purchased for all classes of travel. A maximum of eight break of journeys will be admissible on these tickets. Endorsements for break journeys are not needed. Standard Circular Journey Tickets are also offered by Zonal Railways. These cover popular destinations for the convenience of tourists. The detail of route, fare etc., for these tickets can be obtained from nominated stations in each Zonal Railway. You can purchase these tickets if any one of the standard routes suit your convenience. Otherwise you can inform the Zonal Railways about your itinerary and Circular Journey Tickets can be drawn up to suit your requirements.

What are the advantages of booking a Circular Journey Ticket?

Circular Journey Tickets give you the benefit of telescopic rates, which are considerably lower than regular point-to-point fare. These rates are calculated on Mail/Express Fares. With these tickets, you not only save time but also the inconvenience of booking tickets for each leg of the journey.

What is the booking procedure for Circular Journey Tickets?

Once your itinerary is finalized, you can approach the Divisional Commercial Managers of the Division or Station Managers of certain major stations to which the journey commencing station belongs. The Divisional Commercial Manager or the station authorities will then calculate the cost of the tickets based on your itinerary. He will also inform the Station Manager concerned of the same, in the prescribed format. You can purchase Circular Journey Tickets by presenting this form at the Booking Office of the station from where you propose to start your journey. After purchasing the Circular Journey Ticket, you must approach the Reservation Office to reserve your accommodation for various laps of your journey. You will then be issued reserved tickets for the journey.

What type of concession available in Indian Railways?

To get the detail of all type of concession click on this link

http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/deptts/commercial/comm-cir-2k7/CONCESSION.HTM

Where I can get various concession form?

You can download all type of concession form from this link

http://www.indianrail.gov.in/conc_forms.html

Where I can get Reservation/cancelation request form?

You can take a print  out of the reservation/cancelation request form from this link

http://www.indianrail.gov.in/resr_form.html

How many types of quotas are in Indian Railways?

To get the full list of all type of quota available in Indian Railways click on this link

http://www.indianrail.gov.in/quotas.html

Where Can I get the full list of Mail & Express Trains running in Indian Railways?

To get the full list of Mail & Express trains click on this link

http://www.indianrail.gov.in/mail_express_trn_list.html

Where Can I get the full list of Rajdhani Express Trains running in Indian Railways?

To get the full list of Rajdhani Express Trains click on this link

http://www.indianrail.gov.in/rajdhani_trn_list.html

Where Can I get the full list of Shatabadi Trains running in Indian Railways?

To get the full list of Shatabadi Trains click on this link

http://www.indianrail.gov.in/shatabdi_trn_list.html

Where Can I get the full list of Special Trains running in Indian Railways?

To get the full list of Special Trains click on this link

http://www.indianrail.gov.in/special_trn_list.html

Where Can I get the details of Luxury Trains running in Indian Railways?

To get the detail of Luxury Trains click on this link

http://www.indianrail.gov.in/scenic_rly.html

Where Can I get the details of Hills Trains running in Indian Railways?

To get the detail of Hills Trains click on this link

http://www.indianrail.gov.in/hill_trains.html

Where can I get the detail of Trains which have Pantry cars?

All the Rajdhani, shatabadi, Jan shatabadi, Garib rath trains have panty cars.

Click the below link for the  list of superfast trains which have pantry cars

http://trainenquiry.com/StaticContent/Other%20Information/pantry_superfast.aspx

Click the below link for the Mail & Express Train which have pantry cars

http://trainenquiry.com/StaticContent/Other%20Information/pantry_mailexp.aspx

IRCTC

I-TICKET

How to register at irctc?

Click on this link to get step by step guide to see how to register at irctc

http://irctc.co.in/iticketGuide.html

What are the various classes of travel and their codes?

First class Air-Conditioned & Executive class in Shatabdi trains-  IA 

AC 2-tier sleeper-  2A

First class - FC 

AC 3 Tier - 3A

AC chair Car-  CC

Sleeper Class  -SL

Second Sitting - 2S

How do I find out STATION CODE for a given station?

The user can find the station codes by using the Station Code Finders provided on "Plan My Travel", "Fare Enquiry", "Trains From/To", and "Get Availability" pages. The user can enter the first three letters of the station name and click search to get the list of matching stations and the station codes.

How can I use the internet reservation facility to plan my journey?

Get yourself registered online by submitting the Registration Form available in www.irctc.co.in  with your personal details. Further details are available at the IRCTC website.

How much extra should I pay for my ticket?

IRCTC charges a service charge of Rs.40/- per ticket in case of Second Class and Sleeper Class tickets and Rs.60/- per ticket in case of tickets of other classes.(These charges are not per passenger) Apart from this service charge of IRCTC, transaction charges as notified will be levied by the banks for each transaction.

Is it safe to give the credit card number at this site?

This is a VeriSign certified site (Click on the VeriSign logo to see the certificate). All the monetary transactions made on this site are secure. The credit card details are received on the site and transmitted to the Payment Gateways through secure SSL mode under 128-bit browser independent encryption. This site does not store or record the credit card details. All the transactions are handled directly by Payment Gateways only.

How secure is my Password?

The Password entered by you is transmitted in one way encrypted form to our database and stored as such. The Password will not be known even to IRCTC. Thus you are solely responsible for the safe custody of your password

How do I check the route of a train?

You have to login and click on the Time Table link from the navigation menu on the left. The page asks for Train No. (Use the "Train Finder" for help, entering the first three letters of the train name) and the service Day of the train. After submission, the page displays the route of the train with the arrival and departure timings at all the stations and the distance of each station from the originating station.

How can I check the Fare for my journey?

You have to login and click on the "Fares" link on the navigation menu. The page asks for the Train No. (Use "Train Finder" for assistance entering the first three letters of the train name), Origin & Destination Stations (Use "Station Finder" for assistance entering the first three letters of the station name), Date of Journey, the date being any service day of the train, Class (Select form the dropdown list box), Age and Concession desired to get the Fare for a single passenger.

I want to travel from (A) to (B). How can I find the trains available between the stations?

After logging in, click on the "Trains From/To" link from the left side navigation menu. The link takes you to a page where you are prompted to select the Source Station & Destination Station (Use ''the Station Finder'' for help entering the first three letters of the station name), Date, the date being any service day of the train; and Class (Select one from the dropdown box). The page displays the list of all the trains running on the date specified and with the desired class between the above pair of stations, with their service days. The screen also displays three buttons "Get Fare", "Show Route" and "Show availability" to get the Fare details, Train route and Availability Status details respectively.

What are the different types of concessions available for Passengers?

At present this site offers Concession tickets only to Senior Citizens. This concession is also offered only on specific request made by the User by clicking the relevant button on the online reservation form. Other concession tickets can be availed at the PRS counters at any Railway Reservation Office.(Children below 12 years need pay only 50% fare, as for normal tickets)

What are the rules for cancellation of I-ticket?

Click on the link to get full detail

http://irctc.co.in/itktcanc_new.html

Is cancellation possible on Internet? How will I get my ticket cancelled that I have booked at this site?

At present, cancellation is not possible on the Internet. Cancellation of any ticket can be made at PRS counters at any Railway Reservation Office. No cash refunds will be made at the counter. The refund (after deducting the cancellation charges applicable as per Railway cancellation rules) will be credited back directly to your credit card / bank account electronically.

How do I cancel my ticket if the train has already departed?

After the departure of the train up to the time / distance limit prescribed by Railway Commercial Rules the ticket can be cancelled normally at any of the Railway Reservation Counters where a "Cancellation Slip" will be given to you & the due refund amount will be credited back to your Credit card / Bank account. If these time limits also have lapsed you will be required to deposit the ticket with the reservation counter / station master & you will be issued a Ticket Deposit Receipt (TDR). This TDR should be sent in original to the following address immediately:
General Manager (Operations)
Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation Ltd.,
2nd Floor, STC Building,
1, Tolstoy Marg,
New Delhi -110001
IRCTC will process the case with the Refunds office of the concerned Railway where the train had originated & request for the refunds as due. After verification of the charts from the concerned railway, the refunds office sanctions a refund which is sent to IRCTC. IRCTC on receipt of the same credits it to your credit card / bank account. This process may take anything from 3 - 6 months or more depending on the processing speeds, chart verification etc. at the concerned Railway Stations.

How do I get compensated if I was forced to travel in a lower class than what I had booked, or AC was not working etc?

In such cases the Guard Certificate (GC) issued by the train superintendent, TTE, Guard etc must be obtained and sent along with ticket in original to the following address immediately:
Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation Ltd.,
2nd Floor, STC Building,
1, Tolstoy Marg,
New Delhi -110001
IRCTC will process the case with the Refunds office of the concerned Railway where the train had originated & request for the refunds as due. After verification of the records from the concerned railway, the refunds office sanctions a refund which is sent to IRCTC. IRCTC on receipt of the same credits it to your credit card / bank account. This process may take anything from 3 - 6 months or more depending on the processing speeds, record verification etc. at the concerned Railway Stations.

How can I modify the details of my ticket?

Postponement / Advancement of journey, Change of passenger details, Change of boarding point etc, can be done across any Reservation counters subject to existing Railway rules. Payment, if any, has to be paid in Cash.

How will I get my tickets delivered?

To get the tickets delivered at his desired address by the courier, the booking should be done two / three clear calendar days (Please see the areas covered link on the home page for details) in advance of the date of travel.

How much time before my date of journey should I give to ensure Home Delivery?

Please click here to view the time required to deliver the ticket to various cities.

Can I book tickets from outside India?

Customers can book tickets from anywhere in the World, but, ticket can be delivered only in the cities mentioned click here. Customer can also get the ticket delivered to a Hotel, address of a friend / relative if it is in the area of delivery. In such cases, Customers are requested to inform the hotel authorities and IRCTC well in advance. Also at the time of delivery the person receiving the ticket on your behalf should produce an authority letter from the Registered User permitting her to receive the ticket, along with the PNR number of the ticket and her personal identification.

While booking, the amount was debited but ticket not booked. What should I do?

If for some reason, you could not see the ticket confirmation page, please check your "Booked Tickets" list, wherein the details of all the successfully booked tickets would be available. If you do not see the desired transaction on this list, it means that the ticket has not been booked. The amount debited would be credited back to you in full without levying any charges. You may retry the transaction for booking your ticket. If you face this problem very often please let us know immediately.

How do I know the status of the delivery of my ticket?

You can track the status of delivery of your ticket by entering the PNR No. in the 'Track Your Ticket' page provided on the site, from the next day of booking the ticket. You may also contact the local courier office at the address / phone numbers provided on the same page. If you face any difficulty, please let us know immediately.

What details should I provide to the Courier for delivery of my ticket?

You will be required to produce the proof of your identity along with the transaction ID and PNR No. of your ticket for verification. If you are authorizing some one to collect your ticket on your behalf, that person should have in addition to above, an authority letter, which should clearly contain the PNR No, from you for effecting delivery as well as proof of his/her identity.

What should I do if I don't see the confirmation of my booking on my screen?

On pressing the "Buy" button on the ticket reservation page, the payment is processed and the booking is done and the confirmation of your booking is displayed on your screen. If for any reason, the reservation output details are not displayed in your monitor, please check the details in menu "BOOKED TICKETS" under "Booking History" in Home Page. You may also check your e-mail for the details of your booking. You are also advised to contact IRCTC before trying to book the ticket again with the same particulars of journey.

Why do I get the details of some irrelevant trains if I try some enquiries?

Your browser page may be displaying some old pages and may need refreshing. Press F5 or Refresh button on the browser. You may also need to set the "REFRESH" to be done automatically for every visit to the page in the Internet settings of your browser.

I had selected a particular berth preference, but have been allotted a different berth. Why is it so?

The allotment of berths is done by the Centralised Reservation System of Indian Railways, which is based on a pre-defined logic. As per this logic, lower berths are allotted to Senior Citizens even without preference, and the berths are allotted as per preference on a first come first serve basis. Compact accommodation (for families / groups) is also attempted while allotting the berths. If the preferred berths are not available, then other available berths in General Quota as per the allotment logic would be allotted. IRCTC has no role in the allotment of berths.

What is Tatkal Booking ?

Click Here. To Know about Tatkal Booking through www.irctc.co.in.

Is refund permissible against lost/misplaced I-tickets?

No refund is permissible against lost/misplaced tickets. Loss of tickets be reported to railways immediately to prevent fraudulent use of lost tickets. However, duplicate ticket can be issued only in case of lost/torn/mutilated , confirmed or RAC Internet (I) tickets and the passenger can travel on the accommodation reserved for him as per extant Railway rules.

How can I get in touch with IRCTC?

You can reach us at care@irctc.co.in.Do contact us at 24*7 Hrs. Customer Support at 011-23340000, MON - SAT(10 AM - 6 PM) 011 - 23345500/ 4787/ 4773/ 5800/ 8539/ 8543, Chennai Customer Care 044 – 25300000.

What is Verified by Visa?

Verified by Visa is a unique service that uses personal passwords or identity information to help protect Visa card numbers against unauthorized use. Once activated your Visa card number cannot be used for online purchases without your personal password. Verified by Visa is available for most Visa cards from participating financial institutions.

How does it help me?

Verified by Visa provides an extra level of protection for online shopping. Visa always protects its cardholders against unauthorized use, but Verified by Visa helps to prevent unauthorized use online before it can happen.

How it works?

Verified by Visa protects your existing Visa card with a password you create, giving you assurance that only you can use your Visa card online. Simply activate your card and create your personal password. You'll get the added confidence that your Visa card is safe when you shop at participating online stores.
Please click here for further details on Verified by Visa program.

What all cards is it available?

All Visa Cards.

How do I know my bank is having VbV facility?

You may ask from the help desk/ Call Center of the card issuing bank.

What is MasterCard SecureCode?

MasterCard SecureCode is unique service that uses private code to help protect your card against unauthorized use when you shop at participating online merchants.

How does MasterCard SecureCode work?

Once you've registered and created your own private SecureCode, you will be automatically prompted by your financial institution at checkout to provide your SecureCode each time you make a purchase with a participating online merchant. Your SecureCode is quickly confirmed by your financial institution and then your purchase is completed. Your SecureCode will never be shared with the merchant. It's just like entering your PIN at an ATM. Please click here for further details on MasterCard Secure Code program.

What is the mode of Payment?

Payment Options

Payment by credit cards:

1.Gateway No. 1 (Operated by ICICI Bank):

Payments through any Master / Visa credit cards (Not International credit cards) issued by any bank / HDFC, ICICI, AXIS, SBI, KVB(Karur Vysya Bank) Visa debit cards(only)

Transaction charges of 1.8%on the total transaction value will be levied by the card issuing bank.

2.ICICI Bank 3 monthly instalment Scheme :

Pay back in 3 EMIs with ICICI Bank Credit Cards.Rs.343 per Rs.1000. Transaction charges 4.65% per Transaction.

3.Gateway No. 2 (Operated by Citibank):

Payments through any Master / Visa / Diners Club credit cards issued by any bank / HDFC, AXIS, SBI, KVB(Karur Vysya Bank) Visa debit cards(only)

Transaction charges of 1.8% on the total transaction value will be levied by the card issuing bank.

4.Citibank 3 monthly instalment Scheme:

Payments through Citibank Credit Cards & Diners Club Credit Cards

Transaction charges of 2.8%on the total transaction value will be levied by the Citibank. EMI will be automatically charged to your monthly Credit Card statement.

5.American Express Bank Payment Gateway :

Transaction Charges of 1.8% on the total transaction value will be levied for Cards issued by American Express Bank. Transaction charges for American Express Cards issued by any other bank (eg. ICICI Bank) will be as applied by the issuing bank.

6.HDFC PG

Payments through any Master / Visa credit cards (Not International credit cards) issued by any bank / HDFC, AXIS, SBI, KVB(Karur Vysya Bank) Visa debit cards(only)

Transaction charges of 1.8% per transaction

7.AXIS PG

For all Master / Visa credit cards issued by any bank.Transaction charges of 1.65% on the total transaction value will be levied by the card issuing bank

ICICI Bank - Transaction charges of Rs. 10/-+service tax as applicable per transaction.

HDFC Bank - Transaction charges of Rs. 10/- per transaction.

IDBI Bank - Transaction charges of Rs. 10/- per transaction.

Citibank Debit - Transaction charge is Rs. 10/- per transaction.

Bank Of Punjab Direct Debit - Transaction charges Nil.

OBC Direct Debit - Transaction charges of Rs. 10/- per transaction, At select branches of OBC.

AXIS Bank - Transaction charges of Rs. 10/- + Taxes.

State Bank Of India Direct Debit - Transaction charges of Rs. 10/- per transaction.

Centurion Bank Direct Debit - No Transaction charges levied.

Punjab National Bank Direct Debit - No Transaction charges levied.

ABN-AMRO Bank Direct Debit - No Transaction charges levied.

Corporation Bank Direct Debit - Transaction charges of Rs. 10/ per transaction.

Federal Bank Direct Debit - No Transaction charges levied.

Syndicate Bank Direct Debit - No Transaction charges levied.

ITZ Cash Direct Debit "Transaction charges of 1.5%".

Union Bank of India Direct Debit - No Transaction charges is levied by Union Bank Of India.

IndusInd Bank Direct Debit - No Transaction charges is levied by IndusInd Bank.

Andhra Bank Debit - Transaction charges of Rs. 10/- per transaction.

Icash Card Debit - Transaction charges of RS. 2.50/- per transaction on the total transaction value will be levied.

Karnataka Bank Direct Debit - No Transaction charges levied.

Done Card - Transaction charges of Rs. 5/- per transaction.

State Bank Of India Debit Card - Transaction charges of Rs. 10/- per transaction.

HDFC VISA DEBIT CARD - Transaction charge 1.8% of the Total Transaction value

Bank Of Rajasthan - Transaction charges of Rs. 15/- per transaction.

Bank Of India - No Transaction charges is levied by Bank Of India.

Sbi Associates - Transaction charges of Rs. 10/- per transaction.

Indian bank - Transaction charges of Rs. 10/- per transaction.

Canara Bank - Transaction charges of Rs. 10/- per transaction.

Bank of Baroda - No Transaction charges levied.

E-TICKET

How to register at irctc?

Click on this link to get step by step guide to see how to register at irctc

http://irctc.co.in/eticketsguide.html

What Document/I-Card required to book e-Ticket?

The user is not required to give any input of the photo identity card details of any of the passengers while booking the ticket. However he shall have to carry and show one of following identity card of any of the passengers in original while travelling.

The following photo identity cards are considered valid.

Voter Identity Card

Passport

PAN card

Driving License

Photo identity cards issued by Central/State Government for their employees.

How can I make payment to book e-ticket?

ICICI Payment Gateway (For VISA and MASTER credit cards), direct debit option (Internet Banking) of major Banks and a cash card option (ITZ cash) are available to book e-tickets.

How can I cancel e-ticket and how will I get refund?

E-Tickets (Reservations) can be cancelled only through Internet till Chart preparation of the train and it is not allowed at face to face Railway Counters. If the user wishes to cancel his e-Ticket, he can do so till the time of chart preparation for the train (which is normally 4 hours before the scheduled departure of the train from the train starting station) through the Internet. He can log on to www.irctc.co.in and go to Booked Tickets link and select the ticket to be cancelled and can initiate the cancellation by selecting the passengers to be cancelled. Cancellation would b e confirmed online and the refund would be credited back to the account used for booking as for normal Internet tickets. If there is any partial cancellation of ticket please ensure that the modified ticket (Electronic Reservation Slip) is printed separately as for the original ticket. To get more detail about how to cancel e-ticket click on this link

http://irctc.co.in/etktcanc.html

How can I cancel e-ticket after preparation of chart?

After chart preparation, Refunds for Confirmed/RAC/Partially Confirmed Eticket will be processed through TDR process. Customer can file TDR online and refund sanctioned by Railways would be credited back to user/agents account.  Refund claims under above clause may require at least 90 days or more for processing. Only those PNRs whose Date of journey is less than 30 days will be listed and shall be eligible for applying TDR.

What happens if after preparation of chart my e-ticket remains in RAC and I don't want to travel?

If the user wishes to cancel his e-Ticket, he can do so till the time of chart preparation for the train (which is normally 4 hours before the scheduled departure of the train from the train starting station) through the Internet. No cancellation of e-ticket is permitted on-line after the chart preparation. After chart preparation, Refunds for Confirmed/RAC/Partially Confirmed Eticket will be processed through TDR process. Customer can file TDR online and refund sanctioned by Railways would be credited back to user/agents account.  Refund claims under above clause may require at least 90 days or more for processing. Only those PNRs whose Date of journey is less than 30 days will be listed and shall be eligible for applying TDR.

What if I forget to carry Photo Identity card?

One of the passenger booked on an E-ticket in a PNR is required to present any of the five identity cards noted below in original during the train journey and same will be accepted as a proof of identity failing which the passenger will be treated as travelling without ticket and shall be dealt as per extant Railway Rules. Valid Ids:- Voter Identity Card, / Passport / PAN Card / Driving License / Photo ID card issued by Central / State Govt.

How to postpone/prepone journey in e-ticket?

This can be done on line by cancelling the original ticket and booking a fresh ticket.

How to change name of passenger in e-ticket?

To know the procedure of changing the name of passenger  click here

Can partial cancellation be done in e-ticket?

Yes. Partial Cancellation can be done. He can log on to www.irctc.co.in and go to “Booked Tickets” link and select the ticket to be cancelled and can initiate cancellation by selecting the passengers to be cancelled.

Can I book break -journey ticket in e-ticket?

Presently this facility is not available for internet tickets

What is Tatkal Ticket?

Click Here To Know About Tatkal Booking on irctc.co.in.

How much extra should I pay for my e-ticket?

IRCTC levies a service charge of Rs.10/- (Second/Sleeper) and RS.20/- (Higher Class) for the first passenger and an additional RS.5/- for every subsequent passenger upto a maximum of Rs.25/- (Second/Sleeper) and RS.40/- (Higher Class).

Tatkal Booking

What are the various classes of travel available in Tatkal?

Tatkal bookings are allowed in all classes except First AC and Executive class.

Can I select ladies or general quota along with tatkal quota?

Ladies and general quota cannot be opted for along with Tatkal quota.

How can I use the internet reservation facility to book Tatkal quota?

You have to select the Tatkal check box in the 'Plan my travel' page along with other details for booking tatkal ticket. For some tarins/class/locations Tatkal quota maynot be available .Please check the availability before proceeding further

What are the concesions available in Tatkal scheme?

No concession is allowed in Tatkal Booking.

How much extra should I pay for my tatkal ticket?

The premium on Tatkal Scheme on different classes is as under:

It has been divided in two group as peak time (1^st April to 30^th July and 1^st September to 31^st January) and non peak time (1^st August to 31^st August and 1^st Feb to 31^st March)

Peak time charges for higher class is 300 and non peak time 150 ruppes

Peak time charges for sleeper, A/C chair car is 150 and non peak time 75 ruppes.

Note:-Trains and classes with average utilization of 80% and above from April to September shall be realized uniform tatkal charges applicable for the peak period.

When I can book a tatkal I-ticket and e-ticket ?

Tatkal tickets can be booked upto five days in advance.
Tatkal i-Ticket can be booked only on the opening day from 8.00 am onwards.
For Tatkal booking, opening day means fifth day from date of journey.
e.g.- today is 1st May, 6th -May will be the opening day i.e booking can be done for the for 4th May,
5th May and 6th May (in case of i-Tickets) and 1st May,2nd May ,3rd May,4th May ,
5th May and 6th (in case of E-Tickets).
Time required for delivering Tatkal tickets remains same as normal tickets and users are advised to book their tickets considering the two/three days time required for delivery Click Here to view the no.of days required for delivery of tickets to your city.

Can I book tatkal ticket from all locations?

Tatkal tickets can be booked only from source station to destination station and from remote station having Tatkal quota to destination with boarding facility from intermediate station. For some trains/class/locations Tatkal quota may not be available. Please check the availability before booking.

Can I book tatkal I-ticket to all places of delivery provided in irctc site?

Time required for delivering Tatkal tickets remains same as normal tickets and users are advised to book their tickets considering the two/three days time required for delivery. click hereto view the no.of days required for delivery of tickets to your city.

What are the rules for cancellation?

A flat refund of 25% of total fare charged on ticket,excluding Tatkal Charges is granted on cancellation of confirmed Tatkal tickets, which are cancelled up to 24 hrs. before the schedule departure of train. No refund on confirmed Tatkal tickets when cancelled within 24 hrs.of the schedule departure of train. For contingent cancellation & waitlisted Tatkal ticket cancellations,charges will be deducted as per existing Railway rules.

How to use the option for waitlist passengers to book against Tatkal Quota for certain trains?

To save the botheration of general waitlisted passenger to book again for tatkal booking on the opening day of tatkal quota, Railways have decided to have an option from the passenger opting “Yes”, in case he desires to be considered for allotment against 50% of Tatkal quota by certain trains. 

In case the “Yes” option is opted by the passenger, the fare including Tatkal charges will be recovered.

An indication will be given against the name of such passenger that the “Tatkal Charges” have been collected.

On the opening day of “Tatkal Booking” for that particular date, such passenger will be allotted “Tatkal” accommodation as per priority who has opted “YES” for this scheme. 

No concession in fare will be allowed against such tickets.

In case such passenger gets confirmed in general quota, he will be eligible for seeking refund of Tatkal charges by obtaining a Ticket Deposit Receipt within 30 days of departure of train. The case shall be processed with the Railways for refund on behalf of the I-ticket passengers and refund amount on receipt from the Railways shall be credited to customer’s account electronically, 

In case the passenger wants to cancel the ticket before the “Advance Reservation Period” of Tatkal Scheme (5 days), normal refund rules will be applicable. In case the passenger is updated against “Tatkal Quota”, Tatkal refund rules will be applicable to such passengers.

In such trains there will be no restriction of booking under Tatkal scheme and tickets can be booked as are booked in general quota in the respective trains.

How do I apply for student concession?

The Student Concession tickets are permitted only in Sleeper Class (SL) and 2nd Sitting (2S)I tickets. Only I-tickets can be exchanged with student concession by presenting the I-ticket and the valid student concession order to the nearest Railway Reservation Office By going to the reservation office along with his journey cum reservation ticket and a request for exchanging the same with the student concession. He will surrender his original fully paid ticket and a student concession ticket with the revised fare (with same seat/berth number status) shall be issued to him. The difference of fare (paid and payable) less the clerk age charge of Rs. 20/- shall be refunded and shall be credited to his account electronically on the next day by IRCTC on receipt of refund file from the Railways.

Is student concession applicable for both E/I tickets?

The Student Concession tickets are permitted only in Sleeper Class (SL) and 2nd Sitting (2S). Presently it is not permitted in e-tickets.

How will I be refunded the difference of fare paid extra with respect to student concession?

The difference of fare (paid and payable) less the clerk age charge of Rs. 20/- shall be refunded and shall be credited to his account electronically on the next day by IRCTC on receipt of refund file from the Railways.

IRCTCmobile

What is IRCTCmobile?

IRCTCmobile is a unique secure transaction solution residing on your mobile phone, which allows you to book railway tickets from anywhere and anytime. The IRCTCmobile has an attractive and user-friendly interface to facilitate easy navigation and has capability to book tickets in real time and store tickets details, making it an ideal ticketing solution.

How does the railway ticketing through IRCTCmobile work?

Once you enter your mobile number in the IRCTC web page, you will be automatically registered, post which you can download and install IRCTCmobile on your java-enabled mobile phone. You can start booking railway tickets through your IRCTCmobile and pay through the credit card/ cash card.

What are the pre-requisites for using the IRCTCmobile?

The pre-requisites for using the IRCTCmobile are:

You need to be a IRCTC user

Have a Java enabled mobile phone or a smart phone

Have GPRS service activated on your mobile phone

Have a credit card/cash card.

Note: This service is not available for CDMA mobile users

How do I know if my mobile is Java enabled?

To check if your phone is Java enabled:

Refer to your phone book manual, or

Refer to the phone manufacturer's website.

Note: If you can download games through your mobile phone, it indicates that your mobile is java enabled.

Where do I check my phone’s model number?

The model number is generally printed inside the phone where the battery is placed. The same could also be found in the user manual provided along with the phone. Some mobiles provide options to display the model number.

What is GPRS?

GPRS stands for General Packet Radio Service. It is an enhancement to the GSM mobile communications system, which allows internet browsing on a mobile phone as well as connecting to data services.

How do I get GPRS service?

Please call your mobile operator and subscribe to a GPRS connection.

What are the charges for GPRS service?

Please contact your mobile operator.

How quickly can I get my GPRS service activated?

Please contact your mobile operator.

Mobile operator offers multiple GPRS plans. Which one should I subscribe to use IRCTCmobile?

Railway ticketing through IRCTCmobile will work on all the GPRS plans of various mobile operators.

What are the benefits of using the railway ticketing service through IRCTCmobile?

You can now book your tickets from anywhere and at anytime using your IRCTCmobile application residing on your mobile phone. It gives you an increased convenience through a secure, real time ticketing services

What are the features related to railway ticketing available through the IRCTCmobile?

Presently, railway ticketing is the only service available through IRCTCmobile and the following features are available

Register to IRCTC through mobile phone

Book ticket through your mobile phone

View booked ticket details

View train route

View fare

View availability

View train details

Manage passenger list on IRCTCmobile

Fast booking option.

Do I need to be registered to use the IRCTCmobile?

Yes. You need to register yourself with IRCTC for using the IRCTCmobile or from the web site www.irctc.co.in

What are the steps for getting the IRCTCmobile service on mobile?

Register for the service

Download and install the IRCTCmobile on your mobile phone

Activate IRCTCmobile on your mobile phone

Your IRCTCmobile is now ready for use

How do I register for the railway ticketing service through IRCTCmobile?

Steps for registering for railway ticketing IRCTCmobile service:

User enters the mobile number

User gets registered for IRCTC ticketing through IRCTCmobile

Post registration,user receives a service SMS (also called as WAP SMS) from IRCTC containing the link

How do I download IRCTCmobile?

post registration, user receives a service SMS (WAP SMS) containing a link

User accepts the WAP SMS by selecting it or by accepting it or by clicking the link in the WAP SMS

This will result in downloading of the IRCTCmobile application

The application will prompt the user to ‘install’

User selects ‘Yes’ to install the application on to the mobile phone

Once installed, IRCTCmobile icon will appear on the phone menu/games/application/my own folders.

How do I activate the IRCTCmobile?

Please follow the steps given below to activate IRCTCmobile on your mobile phone:

Select the IRCTCmobile icon on your mobile phone

Set a PIN for IRCTCmobile. This PIN will be used for your future logins

IRCTCmobile will connect to the IRCTC’s back end server and initiate the activation process

IRCTCmobile will download the necessary information by synchronizing with the IRCTC's backend server.

The IRCTCmobile main menu is now activated on the phone screen

Can I change my IRCTCmobile PIN?

Yes. IRCTCmobile provides you an option to change your PIN.

How can I change my IRCTCmobile PIN?

The procedure for changing your IRCTCmobile PIN is:

Login to IRCTCmobile

Go to options and select ‘Change PIN’

Enter old PIN, followed by the new PIN and select OK to change PIN.

A message is displayed once the PIN is changed successfully

Select ‘Back’ to return to the main screen

What if I forget my IRCTCmobile PIN?

In case you forget your PIN, on 3 consecutive incorrect PIN entries the application will get locked.

What if the IRCTCmobile gets locked?

IRCTCmobile gets locked on three successive incorrect PIN entries. 'Your IRCTCmobile is locked’ message will be displayed. Follow the procedure mentioned below:

Call the IRCTC customer care and request for unlocking the IRCTCmobile

Provide the required information for verification of identity

You would receive an unlocking code from the IRCTC customer care

Select ‘Unlock’ on the IRCTCmobile

Enter Unlocking code and set new PIN for IRCTCmobile

IRCTCmobile connects to the server to unlock IRCTCmobile

IRCTCmobile is unlocked successfully. Press ‘Ok’ to return to the main men.

How do I navigate through IRCTCmobile?

IRCTCmobile currently consists of 4 icons on the main screen:

Shubh Yatra: Presently this service is not available on the mobile.Visit www.irctc.co.in for details

Tourism: Presently this service is not available on the mobile.Visit www.irctc.co.in for details

Offers: Presently this service will is not available on the mobile.Visit www.irctc.co.in for details

Booking: This menu contains all the features which have been mentioned above

The main screen has the ‘Options’ menu, which consists of:

Sync

Change PIN

Move Icon

Upgrade

About

Exit

Select any item by pressing the ENTER key or Joystick on the phone, or by selecting menu.

Can I use debit cards or do a direct bank debit?

No, you cannot use your debit card or direct bank debit.

What are the payment options?

Currently, you can pay using any Visa/MasterCard or ITZ Cash Cards.

Will my credit card information in the IRCTCmobile be safe?

The credit card information in the IRCTCmobile is transmitted in an 128 bit encrypted format that can’t be retrieved by anyone.

How much will I be charged per transaction done through IRCTCmobile?

The transaction charges for railway ticketing will be the same as in the case of IRCTC. However, the mobile operator will additionally charge for the GPRS as per the subscribed GPRS plan.

Are transactions made through the IRCTCmobile secure?

Transactions made through the IRCTCmobile are completely secure. IRCTCmobile has built in features at every level that make it nearly impossible for anyone to break through the security net. The transmitted data is encrypted, and even the data stored on the mobile is in an encrypted format.

IRCTCmobile architecture addresses the following security requirements:

Privacy - Information sent from one party to the other is completely confidential

Integrity - Information sent from one party to the other cannot be altered without detection

Authentication - Verification of both party’s identities

Non-repudiation - All messages between both parties are signed, ensuring an auditable record of the transaction.

What is IRCTC login and password?

You need to register with IRCTC to get a IRCTC login and password. You can register through IRCTCmobile (This may not be available on all mobile handsets) or by visiting www.irctc.co.in. By default the mobile will have Guest Login and password for IRCTC. With this login and password you will be able to do everything related to IRCTC except ticket booking through your mobile. For booking, you need to register with IRCTC and login to IRCTCmobile with your IRCTC login ID and password.

How can I add passengers to the passenger list stored on the mobile?

On high-end phones, you can add any number of passengers to the 'Passenger List'. On low-end phones due to lack of sufficient memory you can add a limited number of passengers

The procedure for adding passenger details to the passenger list is:

Open IRCTCmobile with the appropriate PIN

Select ‘Ticketing’ icon

Customer Select ‘Passenger List’ icon

Select ‘Add’ from ‘Options’

Enter the passenger details as requested in the screen and Select ‘Add’ in 'Options'

Passenger name will appear in the list

How many passengers can be added to the list?

On high-end phones, you can add any number of passengers to the 'Passenger List'. On low-end phones due to lack of sufficient memory you can add a limited number of passengers.

How do I view the passenger details?

To view passenger details:

Open IRCTCmobile with the appropriate PIN

Select 'Booking'

Select on ‘Reservation’ icon

Customer Select ‘Passenger List’ icon

Select ‘View’ from ‘Options’

Passenger details are displayed on IRCTCmobile.

How do I edit the passenger details?

To edit your passenger details:

Open IRCTCmobile with the appropriate PIN

Select 'Booking'

Customer Select ‘Passenger List’ icon

Select ‘Edit’ from ‘Options’

Modify the passenger details as desired on the screen and select ‘Update’

Passenger details will be updated and stored in IRCTCmobile

How can I delete the passenger details?

The procedure for deleting the passenger details are:

Open IRCTCmobile with the appropriate PIN

Select 'Booking'

Customer Select ‘Passenger List’ icon

Select ‘Delete’ from ‘Options’

Confirm if you wish to delete the entry

Passenger details will be deleted from the list

Can I add a passenger while booking?

Yes, you can add passengers while booking your ticket. Follow the steps given below:

Open IRCTCmobile with the appropriate PIN

Select 'Booking'

Select ‘Reservation’ icon

Select the ‘Book Ticket’ icon in IRCTCmobile & select the train for travel.

Select ‘Add New ’ from ‘Options’

Enter the passenger details as requested in the screen and Select ‘Add’ in Options

Passenger name will appear in the list

Can I edit the details of the passenger while booking?

Yes, the steps to edit the passenger while booking are as follows:

Select the ‘Reservation’ icon in IRCTCmobile & select the train for travel.

Add the required passengers from the list

Select ‘Edit’ from ‘Options’ to edit any of the selected passengers

Enter the passenger details as requested in the screen and Select ‘Add’ in Options

Passenger name will appear in the list

How do I book my ticket using the IRCTCmobile?

To book your ticket using IRCTCmobile:

Login to IRCTCmobile on your mobile phone and Select ‘Booking’ a) Enter first three characters of city or city code in the ‘From’ and ‘To’ field b) Select ‘Next’ from the ‘Option’.

Confirm city by selecting ‘From’ and ‘To’ for the desired city and Selects ‘Next’

Select the ‘Class’ from ‘Option’

Select the ‘Date of Journey’

IRCTCmobile will fetch and display the trains a) Select the desired train and Select ‘Next’ b) Select ‘Train details’ from Options to view the details

After confirming the Itinerary review, Select ‘Book’

After reading the disclaimer, Select ‘Next’ in Options

Select ‘Passenger List’ to add passengers. Alternatively, Passenger details can be added by selecting ‘New Passenger’ from Options

Select the desired check boxes against passenger names and Select ‘Add to Ticket’

Select ‘Next’

Enter the mailing address where the ticket has to be delivered

Enter the credit card details or cash card account no. and select ‘Continue’ from Options

Enter ‘CVV’ or cash card PIN. and Select ‘Next’

Select ‘Book Now’

An I-ticket* with itinerary details is displayed and stored on the IRCTCmobile. I-ticket will be sent to the mailing address * Only I –tickets can be booked from the mobile phones. I –ticket is delivered to the passenger through courier at the postal address provided by the IRCTCmobile user. The user cannot take print out of I- ticket.

How far in advance can the ticket be booked?

 Through IRCTCmobile, you can book a train up to 90 days in advance and 2-3 clear days in advance excluding the date of journey.

Can I make a reservation for anyone?

Yes, you can book through IRCTCmobile for anyone.

Can I book for all destinations through IRCTCmobile?

You can book I-tickets on IRCTCmobile for all the destinations

What if I do not receive an I-ticket through the courier?

If you fail to receive I-ticket in 2-3 clear days, you can contact IRCTC call center and enquire about the status giving relevant ticket details. You can also mail at care@irctc.co.in. Alternatively you can track you ticket by entering the PNR number in the 'Track your ticket' page provided on the irctc.co.in website, from the next day of booking the ticket. You can contact your local Overnite Express courier office, produce proof of identity along with transaction ID and PNR number and collect your ticket.

How many passengers in a ticket can I book using the IRCTCmobile?

You can book a maximum of 6 seats at a time (adults and children included) using the IRCTCmobile.

How many I-tickets can I store on my mobile?

The number of I-tickets that can be stored on the mobile depends on the phone’s memory.

How do I view my stored I-tickets on the IRCTCmobile?

The procedure for viewing an I-ticket on IRCTCmobile is:

Open IRCTCmobile with the appropriate PIN

Select ‘My Tickets’ icon

Select from 'last booked ticket' or 'Fetch all tickets'

You will be able to view all the ticket details like: PNR, Ticket no., passenger name, fare details, train details etc

What if I just want to obtain train schedules without making a reservation?

To obtain only the train schedules, simply follow this steps

Login to IRCTCmobile on your mobile phone and Select ‘Booking’ a) Enter first three characters of city or city code in the ‘From’ and ‘To’ field b) Select ‘Next’ from the ‘Option’.

Confirm city by selecting ‘From’ and ‘To’ for the desired city and Selects ‘Next’

Select the ‘Class’ from ‘Option’

Select the ‘Date of Journey’

IRCTCmobile will fetch and display the trains a) Select the desired train and Select ‘Next’ b) Select ‘Train details’ from Options to view the details

Can I cancel or get the refund of the ticket booked through the IRCTCmobile?

The cancellation of the ticket can’t be done from the IRCTCmobile. For cancellation you have to follow normal procedure of cancellation over the counter. The refund money will be credited back electronically to the same credit/cash card which has been used for booking tickets. The refund may take around 1-3 days from the date of cancellation

What if I lose my mobile?

If you loose your mobile:

Call the customer IRCTC care centre

Provide details for verification of identity

Request for blocking the IRCTCmobile

Perform a Change of Handset , once you avail your new phone

What if I change my mobile handset or change my SIM card of my mobile?

If you buy a new handset but use your old SIM (Old Mobile No.), follow the registration and download procedure as mentioned in registration and download FAQ. Please ensure that you have deleted the IRCTCmobile application in the old handset. If you change the SIM, please delete/remove your old IRCTCmobile application form the phone and follow steps as mentioned in registration and download FAQ.

If I change my handset will my I-tickets stored on my old handset be available on my new handset?

Yes, in case of any change in handset after following the ‘Change Device’ procedure (for details refer F.A.Q Above) all the details will be available in the IRCTCmobile on the new phone.

Can anyone else use my IRCTCmobile?

A PIN protects IRCTCmobile, which ensures that only an authorized user accesses IRCTCmobile. After 3 consecutive wrong inputs of the PIN, the IRCTCmobile gets locked. Please do not share your pin with anyone for security reasons.

Why should I synchronize IRCTCmobile?

Synchronizing will keep your IRCTCmobile updated with the latest information. To synchronize your IRCTCmobile, press Sync in Options on the main screen of your IRCTCmobile. A message will be displayed, with summary of downloaded items.

How do I synchronize the IRCTCmobile?

The procedure for synchronizing the IRCTCmobile is:

Select the ‘Sync’ option in the main screen of your IRCTCmobile

The synchronization process will be initiated

Summary of the uploaded or downloaded items will be displayed on the phone screen

Select ‘OK’ to return to the main screen.

What if the GPRS connection breaks while booking the ticket?

If GPRS connection breaks while booking the I-ticket, IRCTCmobile will display the appropriate error message. Please select the ‘Retry’ option to try again.

What if the GPRS connection breaks after I have entered the card details?

If GPRS connection breaks at any point, please select the ‘Retry’ option to try again. If you exit IRCTCmobile without retrying in the following cases, the transaction will remain pending and can be completed the next time you login to IRCTCmobile. In case any money gets deducted without the booking process getting completed, the same will be refunded back.

What if my mobile goes off because of low battery while booking the ticket?

If your mobile goes off because of low battery in the following cases the transaction will remain pending and can be completed the next time you login to the IRCTCmobile.What if I receive a call or SMS while booking the ticket?

If you receive, a call or SMS while booking the ticket IRCTCmobile will work in background and will not be affected. But if the duration of call is long the IRCTCmobile will logout automatically after sometime to ensure security.

While downloading, I get a message saying "Un-trusted Application". What should I do?

Please select ‘Yes’ for this option. This option is specific to the mobile device and would not affect the application or mobile phone.

Does IRCTCmobile have a similar appearance on all phones?

The functionality of the IRCTCmobile remains same for all the phones. The appearance although might change from phone to phone depending on the visual interface of the phone.

What is IRCTCmobile Lite version?

Since heap memory size and JAR size, which are important for running Java applications on mobile phones, vary from phone to phone, C-SAM has developed a IRCTCmobile version which can run on mobile phones with constraints of heap memory and JAR size. This is called IRCTCmobile Lite version.

What are the features available on IRCTCmobile Lite version?

IRCTCmobile Lite version has all the features except the following restrictions:

Application icon and all other images will not be displayed

Number of passengers that can be stored depends upon the memory of the device

Fast Booking icon will not be provided

Only 1 ticket will be stored IRCTCmobile

Will IRCTC mobile work on CDMA mobile connections like TTSL, TTML, Reliance, MTNL Garuda, BSNL WLL?

No. Presently IRCTC mobile service is available only for GSM users with appropriate GPRS connection.

After entering mobile number on the IRCTC website, I did not receive the SMS?

On entering the mobile number, you shall receive a service SMS (also called as WAP Push Message). This is a special SMS containing a URL link.

Please check your 'Message Inbox' or 'Service Message Inbox'. This message might be received in either of these locations depending upon your handset model. In some cases, you may need to enable the message settings to allow receipt of this service message. For enabling the message setting, please do the following

Go to Messaging>Options>Settings>Service Messages>OFF. Turn this to ON to receive the WAP Push

How do I recommend this application to my friends?

On the IRCTCmobile homescreen, please select 'Refer a friend' from options. Enter your friend's mobile number, friend's name and your name and select send. Your friend will receive a WAP SMS. Please ensure that your friend has GPRS. Your friend will not be charged anything, whereas you will incur only data cost as per your GPRS plan.

Disclaimer, Terms & condition:

This FAQ has information as provided by www.indianrail.gov.in  and www.irctc.co.in  websites. This information is provided for the benefit of general public.