Indian Railways Issues New Codes For Booking Seats in Various Coaches

The Indian Railways is going major upgradation in terms of railway stations, trains, and the IRCTC-developed booking platform. Now it has come up with fresh booking codes for train travellers, according to a News 18 report. With the introduction of new coaches like the Vistadome, which has earned immense popularity among passengers, the IRCTC has now decided to modify the booking codes – capitalized abbreviations used by passengers while booking a ticket. These codes represent various coaches available in the Indian Railway Network. Become authorised IRCTC ticket booking agent, earn good commission Agent login to IRCTC with OTP (one time password) to activate request “IRCTC OTP based Agent Login”

The Indian Railways is planning to introduce coaches like the Vistadome on various other routes. The plan is to tap into the potential of tourism in different parts of the country. Railways is also planning to launch a new AC-3 Tier Economy coach, which will consist of 83 berths. The decision to change the booking codes comes in the wake of the traction Vistadome coaches are gaining among common masses. All the new codes have reportedly been entered into databases of various railway zones and are now operational.

Here’s a full and revised list of the new booking codes for passengers:

Vistadome Non-AC – V.S. (Coach Code: D.V.)
Vistadome AC – E.V. (Coach Code: E.V.)
Sleeper – S.L. (Coach Code: S)
A.C. Chair Car – C.C. (Coach Code: C)
Third A.C. – 3A (Coach Code: B)
AC Three-Tier Economy – 3E (Coach Code: M)
Second A.C. – 2A (Coach Code: A)
GareebRath AC Three-Tier – 3A (Coach Code: G)
GareebRath Chair Car -CC (Coach Code: J)
First AC – 1A (Coach Code: H)
Executive Class – E.C. (Coach Code: E)
Anubhuti Class – E.A (Coach Code: K)
First Class – F.C. (Coach Code: F)

DO’s and DONT’s while booking IRCTC e-tickets

In order to be aware and prevent cases of cheating/corruption, you are requested to observe the following DO’s and DONT’s while booking e-tickets and booking of meal orders to be delivered in trains/stations.

• While creating your own personal ID at http://www.irctc.co.in, please give correct details like Name, Address, Mobile No., e-mail address etc.

• If booking through agent, book through IRCTC authorized Retail Service Providers (list available at http://www.irctc.co.in) and pay the prescribed IRCTC and Agent service charge per ticket irrespective of no. of passengers. Always insist to have cash receipt of the full amount paid by you.

• Please ensure that agent gives your mobile No. while booking so that you get SMS of ticket details including the Fare + other charges.

• Never purchase or sell e-tickets generated from personal user IDs. It is an offence under section 143 of the Railway Act 1989. E-tickets purchased/sold from personal user IDs are liable to be cancelled at any time.

• For overcharging/other irregularity committed by IRCTC authorized Retail Service Providers, lodge a complaint (along with copy of e-ticket and receipt of amount paid by you) with agentcomplaint@irctc.co.in.

How to make bill payment using Bharat Bill Payment System

Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS), developed by the National Payments Corporation of India, is an integrated online platform for utility bill payments. The platform provides an interoperable service through a digital and network of agents i.e. bank internet banking, mobile banking and retail shops for the consumer to do a bill payment, at one place, anytime and anywhere.The consumer would also get instant confirmation and receipt once the transaction is successfully completed. An SMS would also be triggered by the bank or non-bank. The categories that are currently covered in BBPS are Electricity, Telecom (Landline Post-paid, Mobile post-paid and Broad-band Post-paid), Gas, Water, and DTH. Gradually more categories would be covered under BBPS.

Now, if you want to make the payment for your bill using Bharat Bill Payment System, there are some simple steps you need to follow. Here is the step by step guide to making the payment for your bill using Bharat Bill Payment System.

How to make bill payment using Bharat Bill Payment System
These are some steps following which you can make the payment for your bill using Bharat Bill Payment System.

Steps to make bill payment using Bharat Bill Payment System
Follow these steps if you want to make the payment for your bill using Bharat Bill Payment System.

Step 1: First of all, you have to connect to any internet banking of your respective bank or visit a bank  branch or visit your nearest PGI retail shop.

Step 2: Then, you need to click on bill payment or BBPS Tab.

Step 3: Here, you have to choose the category of biller and enter the bill details.

Step 4: At last, you need to initiate a payment and get instant confirmation.

You can become an PGI retailer and start your own business

Full List of 763 Trains Cancelled by Indian Railways on 20 March

Amid rising cases of Coronavirus in the country, the Indian railways has been forced to cancel several of its trains, due to mass cancellations by worried passengers.

Railways has announced the list of canceled trains on Friday, 20 March 2020. According to their official website, a total of 763 trains have been canceled today.

In the list of total 763 canceled trains, 621 trains have been completely canceled, while 42 trains have been partially canceled.

Passengers can check the name, divert route and number of the train.

List of Cancelled Trains

 

If the list mentioned above does not include the name of the train, then you can visit the official website of India railway and book the respective train.  Also read how to earn up to Rs.80,000/- per month in IRCTC agent scheme 

IRCTC ticket via agent, booking time, service charges, payment methods & precautions for e-tickets on website.

If you are planning to book online tickets through the IRCTC website or through agents, then it is better to keep yourself well aware of service charges, payment methods, and precautions while purchasing e-tickets from authorized agents. You can become an authorised IRCTC agent by signing in with one of the authorised principal service providers click here to register.

IRCTC ticket booking: Booking online tickets through official IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) web portal or though IRCTC authorized agents is a very common practice among frequent Indian Railways’ passengers. However, while buying online tickets, it is always advisable to keep oneself updated on the booking timings, rules and regulations. If you are planning to book online tickets through the IRCTC website or through agents, then it is better to keep yourself well aware of service charges, payment methods, and precautions while purchasing e-tickets from authorized agents. Here are some key points that you should definitely know if you planning to book/purchase an online ticket.

What time online booking starts on IRCTC?
According to IRCTC, the train tickets can easily be booked online from 8:20 AM to 11:45 PM on all days.
Service charges for IRCTC e-ticket:
The service charge for second/sleeper class is Rs 20. While for all other higher classes (1AC, 2AC, 3AC, CC, 3E, FC), the service charge is for Rs 40 per ticket, irrespective of the number of passengers (maximum 6 passengers) booked on one e-ticket.

Payment methods for booking IRCTC e-ticket:
The payment for booking an online ticket can be made by using all Master/Visa/Amex cards. All international credit and debit cards issued outside India can also be used for booking e-tickets through the IRCTC website. The facility is available where the ticket is booked at least two days before the journey date. Net banking, as well as credit and debit cards, can also be used by account holders of major banks like State Bank of India, HDFC Bank, ICICI, PNB, etc. Payments can also be made by using various cash cards. UPI/BHIM can also be used to make the payment. (Also read: how to earn up tp Rs.80,000/- per month in IRCTC agent scheme)

Precautions while purchasing e-tickets from IRCTC authorized agents:
Always ask for a receipt from the agent for the payment made for booking the train ticket Make sure that the agent carries a valid Authorization Certificate issued by the respective principal agent. Carefully check all the details mentioned on the e-ticket like stations, date, fare, service charge, class, age, etc. Also, insist that your mobile number is mentioned on the ticket as an SMS is sent on the mobile number regarding details of the booking. In case, the agent asks for more than the prescribed service charge, then you can also lodge a complaint at agentcomplaint@irctc.co.in .

Indian Railways Ticket Reservation: 10 Things To Know About ‘Connecting Journey Bookings’

Indian Railways allows linking of two PNRs (Passenger Name Records) for connecting journey for both online and offline tickets. The one having first journey lap is considered the ‘main journey PNR’ and the later one is considered ‘connected journey PNR’, according to the official website of IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation)- irctc.co.in. Only confirmed and partially confirmed tickets are allowed for connecting journey ticket booking. The difference between main journey and connecting journey should not be more than 5 days, Indian Railways noted.  (Also read: how to earn up tp Rs.80,000/- per month in IRCTC agent scheme)

Here are 10 things to know about Indian Railways’ connecting journey bookings:
1. For linking of two PNRs, the journey terminating station (or principal station) of main journey should match with journey originating station/boarding station (or principal station) of connecting journey, according to Indian Railways.

2. Passenger details including name in both PNRs should be same for connecting journey bookings.

3. Name/age/gender changes are not allowed for connected PNRs.

4.To link counter ticket with online ticket, counter ticket must have a valid mobile number. For such case, OTP (for authentication) is sent on counter ticket mobile number.

5.On partial cancellation of any connected PNR, it gets de-linked, noted Indian Railways.

6. Quota ticket or current booking PNR is not allowed for connecting journey ticket booking.

7. Minimum and maximum difference of time between scheduled arrival at destination of main journey and scheduled departure at boarding of connecting journey is 1 minute and 5 days respectively.

8. Modification of journey is not allowed for connected PNRs.

9. Boarding station change is not allowed for connected PNRs.

10. Vikalp option is not allowed on connected journey tickets

You can become an authorised IRCTC agent by signing in with one of the authorised principal service providers click here to register.

IRCTC Ticket Concession Rules For Senior Citizens: Five Things To Know

Become an authorised IRCTC agent by signing in with one of the authorised principal service providers click here to register.

1. Concessions on fares are available for male senior citizens of minimum 60 years and female senior citizen of minimum 58 years. The element of concession is 40 per cent for men senior citizens and 50 per cent for women senior citizens, according to IRCTC.

2. The reduction in fares are available in all classes of Mail / Express / Rajdhani / Shatabdi / Jan Shatabdi / Duronto group of trains.

3. Passengers availing senior citizen concession have to carry a proof of age while travelling, according to IRCTC.

4. Senior citizen passengers who wish to opt out of the concession fully or some part and contribute towards nation development may book their tickets without the concession element. To book tickets without senior citizen concession, such passengers can select “forgo full concession” option under “option for senior citizen concession” section of passenger details form.

5. To book tickets with 50 per cent of senior citizen concession, such passengers can select “forgo 50 per cent concession” option under “option for senior citizen concession” section of passenger details form. (Also read: how to earn up tp Rs.80,000/- per month in IRCTC agent scheme)

 

Looking To Book A Train Ticket? IRCTC Reservation Rules Explained Here

IRCTC, the e-ticketing arm of Indian Railways, allows an individual to book a maximum of six tickets in a calendar month under certain circumstances from its official website/app. A maximum of six berths/seats can be booked at a time for a specified journey between any two stations served by the train subject to distance restrictions in force, according to IRCTC’s website. In case of Tatkal tickets, tickets are booked against extra payment of premium charges as per extant railway rules. (Also read: how to earn up tp Rs.80,000/- per month in IRCTC agent scheme)

Here are 10 things to know about IRCTC’s online reservation:

• Passengers can book a ticket up to 120 days in advance for all classes and trains. However, in case of some intercity day trains, the ARP (Advance Reservation Period) is less than 60 days.
• One must be a registered user to IRCTC’s website/app to book tickets and for any type of enquiries. No user can register more than once on the site.
• Online booking of train tickets are allowed from 00:20 am to 11:45 pm (Indian Standard Time) on all days including Sundays, according to IRCTC.
• All payments towards the cost of the tickets issued should be done through one of the payment mode provided on the payment page, according to IRCTC.
• For Tatkal booking, opening day means one day in advance from date of departure of train from originating station. For e.g.-if train is to depart from originating station on August 2, Tatkal booking will commence at 10.00 AM on August 1.
• Bookings can be done against General (GN), Senior Citizen (SS), Ladies (LD) and Tatkal (TQ) quota berths/seats only.
• Under Tatkal quota, berths/seats are earmarked in all-important trains in different classes except First Class Air-conditioned (1A) class.
• Ladies Quota (LD) is generally earmarked in sleeper class (SL) and second sitting (2S).
• Auto upgradation is available to the next higher class on optional basis, as per railway rules.
• Cancellation of e-tickets can be done by passengers only before chart preparation of the train. After chart preparation, passengers can use the online TDR (ticket deposit receipt) filing facility and track the status of refund.

You can become an authorised IRCTC agent by signing in with one of the authorised principal service providers click here to register.

Indian Railways Provides These Online Services To Wait-Listed Booking Holders

IRCTC booking: IRCTC or Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation is the online ticketing arm of the Indian Railways.
IRCTC or Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation provides a range of online services to the public. These include a special facility that enables wait-listed train ticket holders to know about their chances of getting a confirmed ticket, and one that enables them to opt for alternative trains in case their primary bookings do not get confirmed. IRCTC’s “CNF Probability” service allow users holding bookings with a “waiting” or “wait-listed” status to access information determining their chances of receiving a confirmation or reservation against cancellation (RAC) while booking train tickets through IRCTC. IRCTC is the online ticketing arm of the Indian Railways. (Also read: Tatkal ticket charges, rules, booking timings other details )

Here are details about IRCTC services that enable users to know their chances of getting confirmation on wait-listed/RAC bookings, or opt for alternative trains in case the tickets are not confirmed:
Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation CNF Probability service
For checking the chances of confirmation of a train ticket, a registered user is required to log in to the IRCTC website or mobile application. The user may proceed by selecting the train, class, date of journey and other details.

On the next page, the “CNF Probability” tab appears when the user clicks on the “check availability and fare” option against a selected train.
The IRCTC portal directs the user to another page, which displays information on the availability status of a particular train. The user can find the CNF Probability option under the availability section. By clicking on it, the individual can know the chances of getting a confirmation or reservation against cancellation (RAC) for the selected train for that particular day of travel.
Every day, over two crore passengers carried by Indian Railways, and nearly 13 lakh tickets are booked through the IRCTC, according to Indian Railways. (Also read: Indian railways rules you never knew about)

IRCTC Vikalp scheme
IRCTC provides a special facility that enables users to opt for alternative trains in case their primary tickets do not get confirmed. Called Vikalp, this scheme is available for passengers of all train types and classes, and is applicable for waiting list passengers irrespective of booking quota and concession, according to the IRCTC website. The Vikalp scheme is applicable for those holding train ticket bookings with a “waiting” status.
IRCTC booking: Train timings for alternative trains under Vikalp
Under the IRCTC Vikalp scheme, the transfer to an alternative train – opted by the user – can be for a departure between 30 minutes and 72 hours from the scheduled departure of the original train, according to the Railways arm.
IRCTC booking rules for Vikalp scheme: All passengers booked in a PNR are transferred to an alternative train in the same class, according to IRCTC. That means all passengers with one PNR booking are required to exercise the transfer to an alternative train together. Also, once allotted an alternative train, the passengers are not allowed to board the original train. (Also read: how to earn up tp Rs.80,000/- per month in IRCTC agent scheme)
Passengers once provided accommodation in an alternative train are treated as normal passengers in that train and are eligible for upgradation as per regular IRCTC rules.

Tatkal Ticket Charges, Rules, Booking Timings Other Details Here

Tatkal charges have been fixed as a percentage of fare at the rate of 10% of basic fare for second class and 30% of basic fare for all other classes.
Tatkal tickets IRCTC: Bookings open at 10 am every day for the air-conditioned (AC) classes. Indian Railways offer a ticket booking facility known as Tatkal Scheme for benefit of passengers who want to travel on an urgent basis, according to Indian Railways. IRCTC Tatkal booking is available on payment of premium charges on a first-come-first-served basis, according to IRCTC’s official website – irctc.co.in. Tatkal tickets are 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, according to Indian Railways’ website, http://www.indianrail.gov.in.
Here are charges, rules and timings for booking Tatkal train tickets through the IRCTC portal and the Railway Reservation Centre:

Tatkal charges have been fixed as a percentage of fare at the rate of 10 per cent of basic fare for second class and 30 per cent of basic fare for all other classes.
Here are the minimum and maximum Tatkal charges applicable to IRCTC and Railway Reservation Centre bookings:

Tatkal booking opens at 10 am every day for air-conditioned (AC) classes and 11 am for non-AC classes one day in advance of the actual date of journey. You can become an authorised IRCTC agent by signing in with one of the authorised principal service providers click here to register.

Ticket agents or web agents of IRCTC are restricted from booking Tatkal tickets between 10: am and 12:00 pm.

While booking Tatkal ticket an individual needs to enter details of valid identity proof which is to be carried while travelling.

Under Tatkal tickets, only four passengers can be booked on one PNR (passenger name record) number.

Confirmed tickets booked under the Tatkal service cannot be cancelled, according to Indian Railways.