IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) and its guidelines

IRCTC is the online ticketing arm of the Indian Railways, responsible for providing e-ticketing and other online services related to train travel in India. Here are some general guidelines that you may find useful:

To book a ticket on the IRCTC website or app. You will need to create an account and register your personal details.

You can book tickets up to 120 days in advance of the journey.

A maximum of 6 tickets can be booked in a single transaction.

You can pay for your tickets using a variety of payment methods, including credit and debit cards, net banking, and e-wallets.

After booking your tickets, you can print out a copy of the e-ticket or Get the ticket to your phone as a PDF. You will need to show the e-ticket along with a valid ID at the time of travel.

Cancelled and rescheduled trains are listed on the IRCTC website and app. And also you can check the status of your train using the “PNR Enquiry” feature.

There are various passenger rules and regulations that you should be aware of. Including rules related to carrying luggage, smoking, and consuming food and drink on the train. You can find more information about these rules on the IRCTC website.

Here are some additional guidelines and tips that may be helpful when using IRCTC:

It is recommended to book your tickets as early as possible, as trains can get fully booked during peak seasons.

If you are unable to book a ticket on the IRCTC website or app, you can try using the “Waitlist” feature. This allows you to book a ticket on a waitlist. Which means that you will be placed in a queue for a ticket if one becomes available. If a ticket becomes available, you will be notified via email or SMS and will have a certain amount of time to pay for the ticket. However, it is important to note that tickets on the waitlist are not guaranteed. And you may not be able to travel if you are unable to get a confirmed ticket.

If you are traveling with children, you will need to carry proof of age for children under the age of 5. Children under the age of 5 can travel for free, but will not be allotted a separate seat.

If you are unable to travel on a ticket that you have booked. You can also cancel the ticket and get a refund by logging in to your IRCTC account and cancelling the ticket through the “Booked Ticket History” feature. Refunds are subject to certain conditions and fees. And the amount of the refund will depend on when you cancel the ticket and the type of ticket you have booked.

If you have a disability or special needs. You can request assistance at the time of booking by selecting the “Divyangjan (Physically Handicapped)” option in the passenger details section. You can also request assistance at the railway station by contacting the Railway Enquiry Counter or the Railway Protection Force.

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Here are some additional guidelines and tips that may be helpful when using IRCTC:

If you are traveling with a large group of people, you can book a “Group Booking” on IRCTC. Group bookings are available for a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 50 passengers. And the tickets must be booked at least 30 days in advance of the journey. Group bookings are subject to certain conditions and may not be available on all trains.

If you are unable to book a ticket on IRCTC. You can try booking a ticket through one of the authorized agents of IRCTC. Authorized agents are authorized by IRCTC to book tickets on behalf of customers. And they may be able to help you secure a ticket if you are unable to book one directly through the IRCTC website or app.

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If you lose your e-ticket

If you lose your e-ticket or forget to bring it with you. You can still travel by showing a valid ID at the railway station. The railway authorities may issue you a duplicate ticket at the railway station, subject to certain conditions and fees.

If you have a confirmed ticket but want to upgrade to a higher class. You can try to get a “Tatkal” ticket. Tatkal tickets are available for booking a day in advance of the journey and are subject to availability. You can book a Tatkal ticket through the IRCTC website or app, or at the railway station. However, it is important to note that Tatkal tickets are in high demand and may not be available on all trains.

If you are traveling on a long-distance train. You can avail of various amenities such as meals, bedding, and Wi-Fi by paying an additional fee. You can book these amenities at the time of booking your ticket or at the railway station.

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