IND Rail: Reservation Rules

 

SCHEME FOR ISSUE OF WAITLISTED E-TICKET

 

An additional facility of booking waitlist e-tickets is now available for all trains. The salient features are as under:-

 

1)   Name of the passengers whose status is fully confirmed / fully RAC after chart preparation, their names shall appear in charts & they can undertake their journey.

2)   Name of the passengers whose names are partly confirmed/partly waitlist or partly RAC/partly waitlist, their names shall appear in charts including the waitlist passengers.

Cancellation of e-tickets by the customer/Agent through Internet is permitted only before chart preparation of the train. For any claims on e-tickets to be cancelled after the preparation of Reservation charts, the user has to send an email at the earliest possible time to etickets@irctc.co.in giving full details of the ticket and stating the claim, which would then be processed by IRCTC with the Railway administration offline and refunds as sanctioned by the Railway administration would be credited back to the user's account.

3)   Names of the Passengers who are left out fully(all the passengers in the transaction) on waiting list after chart preparation, their names will be dropped and will not appear in charts. They are not allowed to board the train.

If detected traveling in the train, they shall be treated as passenger traveling without ticket as per extant Railway Rules. Their cancellation will be done automatically after chart preparation and refund will be credited back to Customer / Agent Account electronically.

 

 

Tatkal Scheme: http://www.indianrail.gov.in/tatkal_Scheme.html
As announced by Hon'ble Minister of Railways while presenting Railway Budget 2009-10 in the parliament on 03-07-2009, it has been decided to reduce Tatkal Charges as given below:- The 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 subject to minimum and maximum as given in the table below:-   Class of Travel Minimum Tatkal Charges (in Rs.) Maximum Tatkal Charges (in Rs.) Second (sitting) 10.00 15.00 Sleeper 75.00 150.00 AC Chair Car 75.00 150.00 AC 3 Tier 200.00 300.00 AC 2 Tier 200.00 300.00 Executive 200.00 300.00 The above charges will be levied uniformly both in peak period & non-peak periods. 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. Tatkal facility will be introduced in Executive Class of Shatabadi Express trains also, by earmarking 10% of the accommodation available i.e. 5 seats per coach. Tatkal booking opens at  8 AM on Two days in advance  actual date of journey excluding date of journey w.e.f. of 01-08-2009, e.g. for train leaving on 6th, Tatkal Booking will Commence at 8 AM on 4th. No identity proof is required to be produced by the passenger seeking reservation under tatkal scheme neither at the time of booking nor during the journey. The facility of change of name is not permitted on the bookings made under Tatkal scheme. For the purpose of granting refunds & issuing TDRs for W/L, the time limit will be the same as applicable for refund of normal tickets. REFUNDS   -   A flat refund of 25% of total fare charged on the ticket, excluding tatkal charge is granted on cancellation of tatkal ticket, which is presented for cancellation upto 24 hours before the scheduled departure of the train. However, full refund of fare and tatkal charges will be granted on the tickets booked under Tatkal scheme in the following circumstances :- If the train is delayed by more than 3 hours at the journey originating point of the passenger & not the boarding point if the passenger's journey originating point and boarding point are different. If the train is to run on a diverted route and passenger is not willing to travel. If the train is to run on diverted route and boarding station or the destination or both the stations are not on the diverted route. 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. 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.

 

 

Reservation Rules: http://www.indianrail.gov.in/reservation_Rules.html

IMPORTANT - FOR SENIOR CITIZENS : From 1st September 2001 onwards, concession to senior citizens through PRS (Passenger Reservation System) shall be granted only on demand and not by default as at present. The demand for concession shall be made on Reservation Requisition form in the case of reserved tickets. In the case of tickets issued to senior citizens on concession, during journey the concerned passengers are instructed to carry some documentary proof showing their age or date of birth, issued by any Government Institution/Agency/Local Body. like Identity card, Driving License, Passport, Educational certificate, certificate from Local Bodies like Panchayat/Corporation/Municipality, or any other authentic and recognised document. This documentary proof of age should be produced if demanded by some Railway official during the journey. GENERAL CONDITIONS : The Railway Administration reserves seats, berths, compartments, or carriage in accordance with the rules and conditions published in the Coaching Tariff. A passenger seeking reservation of berth or seats should purchase tickets from the Railway Reservation Offices/Authorised Travel Agency only. Advance reservations are made generally up to 90 days in advance for all classes and all trains. The period of advance reservation (ARP) is exclusive of the day of departure of the train. At intermediate stations where the train arrives on the following day, such reservations can be done more than 90 days in advance of date of journey from the intermediate station. ARP is in relation to the date of journey from train originating station. In case of some Inter-city day trains, the ARP is less. An individual can book only up to six passengers on one requisition form provided all passengers are for the same destination and for the same train. Only one requisition form is accepted from a person at one time. However, if onward/return journey are involved, 2 or 3 forms can be accepted for the same passengers. Accommodation will not be reserved without purchase of necessary journey ticket. No reservation of accommodation will be made on provisional basis. When berths are reserved for passengers, the intention is to provide sleeping accommodation between 9 PM to 6 AM. During 6 AM to 9 PM, the passengers concerned, if required make room for other passengers in compartment up to its carrying capacity. Passengers are requested to quote PNR number which is printed on each tickets on the top left hand side for any enquiry or complaint relating to reservations. Reservation ticket issued by the computerised system against pre-bought ticket must be accompanied by the journey tickets on train. Similarly journey cum reservation tickets bearing zero amount are not valid for journey unless accompanied by the valid authority to travel authorising issue of such tickets. Allotment of accommodation is done by the computer as per pre-defined logic. Efforts are made to provide compact accommodation to persons booked under the same PNR on first come first served basis. The Railway Administration will endeavour to provide reserved accommodation but does not guarantee the same and will admit no claim for compensation for inconvenience, loss or extra expense due to such accommodation including carriages, not being provided or reserved carriage not been attached to a particular train. The supply of any particular type of carriage or the provision of a particular berth and seat is also not guaranteed. Departure time printed on the ticket is indicative for the guidance of the passengers. Passengers must ascertain correct timings from the Railway station on the day of journey. Such tickets are printed up to 90 days in advance. Any changes in timing after the issue of ticket can not be advised. While every endeavour is made to advise changes in Time Table by due publicity, Railway Administration shall not be liable for any claim/compensation if a passenger misses a train on this account. TRANSFER/RESALE OF TICKETS PROHIBITED : Under Section 142 of the Railways ACT, journey tickets including any half of a return ticket and season ticket are not transferable. If any person not being a Railway Servant or an agent authorised in this behalf : a.sells or attempts to sell any ticket or any half of a return ticket, or b.parts or attempts to part with the possession of a ticket against which reservation of a seat or a berth has been made or any half of a return ticket or season ticket. He shall be punishable under the Railways Act. In addition, if the purchaser or holder of transferred ticket travels or attempts to travel therewith, he shall forfeit the ticket which he so purchased or obtained and shall be deemed to be traveling without a proper ticket. PAYMENT THROUGH CREDIT CARDS : Payment through credit cards for issue of reserved tickets is accepted on some nominated counters of computerised locations in India. In Northern Railway these counters are at IRCA, Reservation Office, New Delhi, Delhi Jn., Sarojini Nagar, Kirti Nagar and Karkadooma and the computerised reservation office, Lucknow . All Master Cards and Visa Cards are accepted. RESERVATION FEE AND SUPPLEMENTARY CHARGES ON SUPERFAST TRAINS : The reservation fee and supplementary charge on superfast train are as under : CLASS RESERVATION FEE SUPPLEMENTARY CHARGES FOR SUPERFAST TRAINS AC Ist Rs. 35 Rs. 50 AC 2 Tier Rs. 25 Rs. 30 Ist (Mail/Express) Rs. 25 Rs. 30 Ist (Ordinary) Rs. 25 --- AC - 3 Tier Rs. 25 Rs. 30 AC Chair Car Rs. 25 Rs. 30 Sleeper (Mail/Express) Rs. 20 Rs. 20 Second Sitting (Mail/Express) Rs. 15 Rs. 8 Sleeper (Ordinary) Rs. 20 --- Second Sitting (Ordinary) Rs. 15 --- REVISION OF RESERVATION FEE : The cluster stations definition is now suspended. The system of issuing BPTs(Blank Paper Tickets) is now disabled. 1. For travel by all trains except Rajdhani,Shatabdi and Jan Shatabdi Express trains,the revised reservation fee,leviable on tickets booked for journeys originating from other then the ticket booking station is shown below. CLASS Existing Reservation Fee Enhanced Reservation Fee for journeys originating from a station other than the one from where ticket has been issued AC Ist Rs. 35 Rs. 50 AC 2 Tier Rs. 25 Rs. 40 AC - 3 Tier Rs. 25 Rs. 40 First Rs. 25 Rs. 40 AC Chair Car Rs. 25 Rs. 40 Sleeper Rs. 20 Rs. 30 Second Sitting Rs. 15 Rs. 25 2. For travel by Rajdhani,Shatabdi and Jan Shatabdi Express trains,also ,the increase in reservation Fee will be applicable on ticket issued for journeys originating from other than the ticket booking stations. The additional reservation fee for such tickets,to be addedd additional in the basic fares shown in Passenger Fare Table,is shown below : CLASS Additional reservation fee to be charged in total chargeable fares Rajdhani Express trains AC Ist Rs. 20 AC 2 Tier Rs. 20 AC - 3 Tier Rs. 20 AC Chair Car Rs. 20 Shatabdi Express trains Executive Rs. 20 AC Chair Car Rs. 20 Jan Shatabdi Express trains Second Rs. 15 AC Chair Car Rs. 20 1.     Military Officers traveling on free warrants, officers and staff of the Railway and P & T department traveling on Railway passes and MPs traveling on Identity Card are exempted from payment of reservation fee. 2.     The supplementary charge is not recoverable from MPs traveling on Identity Card, tourist holding Indrail passes, Railway Staff traveling on duty passes, privilege passes and PTOs. 3.     A passenger found traveling in a Super Fast Train without paying supplementary charge is liable to pay a penalty of Rs. 50/- in addition to the supplementary charge. However, passenger holding through ticket duly fulfilling distance restriction and boarding a superfast train at an intermediate station as per the ticket, is required to pay only the supplementary charge. INDICATION OF BERTH/SEAT NUMBERS : Passengers with confirmed reservation will be allotted berths at the time of booking and the coach and berth numbers are indicated on the ticket itself, except in case of first class ACC and first class coaches. The compartment/cabin/coupe numbers for first ACC and first class are allotted at the time of chart preparation. RESERVATION AGAINST CANCELLATION (R.A.C.) : The passengers whose names figure under R.A.C., are provided reserved sitting accommodation initially and are likely to get berths becoming vacant due to last minutes cancellation of reservation of passengers not turning up in time before the departure of the train,. WHEN RESERVATION WORK CEASES : The requests for reservation at the reservation counters are accepted up to 4 hours before the scheduled departure of the train, after which, the reservation will be done at the current counters at the stations up to one hour before the scheduled departure of the train and thereafter by the Ticket Collector/Conductor on the platform, if vacant berths/seats are available. RESERVATION FROM INTERMEDIATE STATIONS : (a) Requisition for reservation of berths in all classes from intermediate stations not having computerised reservation facility are entertained on purchase of journey tickets only. Such requisition should be given to the Station Master of the Intermediate station 72 hours before the scheduled departure of the train from the station. Such application shall be sent to the nearest computerised reservation office at the earliest. CANCELLATION OF RESERVATION DUE TO LATE ARRIVAL OF PASSENGER : If a passenger, for whom a berth or seat has been reserved, does not turn up up to 10 minutes before the scheduled departure of the train, the Railway Administration may cancel the accommodation reserved for him and allot it to the passenger on the RAC list/Waiting list accordingly on priority. CHANGE OF BOARDING POINT : If a passenger desires to occupy reserved accommodation from any station enroute, he would be permitted to entrain at any intermediate station he chooses irrespective of the distance from the starting station subject to the following conditions : 1.     A specific request must be made in writing at the station from where the ticket is purchased and reservation made atleast 24 hours before the scheduled departure of the train from the starting station. 2.     The Railway Administration reserves the right to use such accommodation from the originating station up to the station at which the passenger is due to entrain. 3.     No refund will be permissible for the portion of journey not performed by the passenger.

 

 

Refund Rules: - http://www.indianrail.gov.in/refund_Rules.html

UNUSED TICKETS ON WHICH NO RESERVATION HAS BEEN MADE :

If a ticket on which no reservation of a seat or berth has been made is presented for cancellation within three hours after the actual departure of the train for which the ticket is issued or for any ticket valid for the whole day, within three hours after the actual departure of the last train of the day for the destination station, refund of fare shall be made on every such ticket after deducting Rs. 10/- per passenger as clerkage.

UNUSED TICKETS ON WHICH RESERVATION HAS BEEN MADE :

(1) Subject to the provision of these rules, if a ticket on which reservation of a seat or berth has been made, is presented for cancellation, refund of fare shall be made after deducting cancellation charge from the fare as follows : (a) If a ticket is presented for cancellation more than 24 hours before the scheduled departure of the train cancellation charge shall be deducted at the flat rate of Rs. 70/- for A.C First Class/Executive Class, Rs. 60/- for A.C. 2 Tier sleeper class/ A.C. 3 Tier sleeper class/ First class/A.C Chair Car, Rs. 40/- for Sleeper class and Rs. 20/- for Second class. (b) If the ticket is presented for cancellation within 24 hours and up to four hours before the scheduled departure of the train, cancellation charges shall be 25% of the fare subject to the min. flat rate mentioned in clause (a). (c) If the ticket is presented for cancellation within four hours before the scheduled departure of the train and up to : 1.     Three hours, when the ticket is for a destination station up to 200 KM., 2.     Six hours, when the ticket is for a destination station of more than 200 KM but up to 500 KM., and 3.     Twelve hours , when the ticket is for a destination station of more than 500 KM., after the actual departure of the train, cancellation charges shall be 50 % of the fare subject to the min. flat rate mentioned in clause (a). Provided that for night train leaving between 21:00 hours and 06:00 hours (actual departures), refunds shall be admissible at the station within the time limit specified above or within four hours after the opening of reservation office, whichever is later. (2) No refunds shall be granted at the station if the ticket is surrendered for cancellation after the expiry of the period mentioned under clause (c) of sub rule (1). Note: (1) In the case of tickets issued for travel from some other stations refunds shall be admissible at the ticket issuing station provided that the ticket is surrendered before the schedule departure of the train from the station from where the ticket is valid. (2) On a party/family ticket issued for more than one person, where some persons have confirmed reservations and others are on waiting list, full refund less clerkage charges is admissible for confirmed passengers provided that the entire ticket is surrendered for cancellation at the journey commencing station within four hours before the scheduled departure of the train and up to three hours after actual departure of the train.

UNUSED WAIT LISTED OR RAC TICKETS :

(1A) Subject to provisions of subrule (2), no cancellation charges shall be payable if a wait-listed or RAC ticket is presented for cancellation up to : (i) Three hours, when the ticket is for a destination station up to 200 KM. (ii) Six hours, when the ticket is for a destination station of more than 200 KM but up to 500 KM., and (iii) Twelve hours , when the ticket is for a destination station of more than 500 KM., after the actual departure of the train except for a deduction of a clerkage charge of Rs. 20/- per passenger. Provided that for night train leaving between 21:00 hours and 06:00 hours (actual departures), refunds shall be admissible at the station within the time limit specified above or within four hours of opening of the reservation office, whichever is later. (2A) Where confirmed reservation has been provided to RAC or wait-listed ticket holder at any time up to the final preparation of reservation chart, such ticket shall be treated as a reserved ticket and cancellation charges shall be payable in accordance with rules mentioned above.

CANCELLATION CHARGES ON MULTIPLE JOURNEY TICKETS :

With effect from 1st March 2000, when an unused ticket involving more than one journey is surrendered for cancellation, the entire ticket shall be treated as one single journey ticket and refund of fare of entire ticket shall be granted as per rules (1) and (2) above, according to the reservation status of the first lap of journey, i.e. if reservation status of first lap of journey is confirmed, refund shall be granted in accordance with the rule (1) and (2) above and if the reservation status of first lap of journey is RAC/Wait-list, refund shall be granted in accordance with the rule (1A) and (2A) above. The cancellation charges or clerkage charge as the case may be, shall be levied only once on the entire amount of the ticket, irrespective of the reservation status of different laps of journey, and not separately for each lap of journey.

REFUND ON PARTIALLY USED TICKETS :

For partially used tickets where a passenger terminates his journey enroute, a ticket deposit receipt shall be issued by the station master and the ticket holder may apply for refund to the chief commercial manager (Refunds) of the concerned railway.

REFUND DUE TO LATE RUNNING OF TRAINS :

No cancellation charge or clerkage shall be levied and full fare shall be refundable to all passengers holding Reserved, RAC, and Waitlisted tickets, if the journey is not undertaken due to late running of the train by more than 3 hours of the scheduled departure of the train from the journey commencing station provided that the ticket is surrendered upto the maximum time limits prescribed in clause (c) of sub-rule (1) of rule 6 .Which is given below: Full refund will be permitted even after the departure of train in the event of train running more than 3 hours late and that the time limits will be up to 3 hours if the distance of the ticket is up to 200Kms., up to 6 hours if the distance of the ticket is 201-500 Kms. and up to 12 hours after the departure of the train if the distance of the ticket is more than 500 Kms.

REFUND OF TICKETS WHERE RAILWAY ADMINISTRATION IS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ACCOMMODATION :

Full refund of fares shall be granted in case the railway administration is not able to provide accommodation for any reason whatsoever to passengers holding reserved tickets, provided such tickets are cancelled within three hours of the actual departure of the trains. In case a train is cancelled due to accidents, breaches or floods, the full refund of fare is granted within three days excluding the scheduled day of departure of the train.

REFUND IN CASE OF FAILURE OF AIR-CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT :

When the air-conditioning has not worked for a portion of the journey, the ref und for such portion of the journey is granted at the destination of the train on production of a certificate of the conductor /guard , if the ticket is presented within twenty hours of the arrival of the train as follows: 1.     In case of AC first class, the difference between the AC first class fare and first class mail fare. 2.     In case of AC 2 tier sleeper/AC 3 tier sleeper class, the difference between the AC 2 tier/AC 3 tier fare and the sleeper class mail /express fare. 3.     In case of AC chair car class the difference between the AC chair car class and second class mail/express fare. 4.     In case of Executive class ticket of Shatabdi trains, the difference between the notified executive class fare for the concerned section and first class mail/express fare for the concerned distance of that section.

REFUND IN CASE PASSENGERS ARE MADE TO TRAVEL IN A LOWER CLASS FOR WANT OF ACCOMMODATION :

If a ticket holder of higher class is made to travel in a lower class for want of accommodation in the class for which the ticket was issued, refund of difference between the fare paid and fare payable shall be granted at the destination station or the originating station as the case may be. The refund at the destination shall be granted only on the production of a certificate from the conductor/.guard/TTE and the ticket is presented within 2days of the date of issue of the certificate (excluding date of issue) of the arrival of the train at your destination To claim this refund passenger will have to submit ticket along with the certificate issued by te Traveling Ticket Examiner.

REFUND ON LOST/ MISPLACED TICKETS :

No refund is permissible against lost/misplaced tickets. However passenger will be allowed to travel on the reservation already made on confirmed one or RAC .If the loss of confirmed/RAC ticket is reported before the preparation of the reservation chart, duplicate ticket will be issued on the collection of the clerkage charge per passenger. If the loss of confirmed/RAC ticket is reported after the preparation of the reservation chart, duplicate ticket will be issued on the collection of the 50% of the fare . No duplicate ticket will be issued after the preparation of reservation chart in case of RAC ticket . Loss of tickets be reported to railways immediately to prevent fraudulent refunds on lost tickets.

ISSUE OF DUPLICATE TICKET IN LIEU OF TORN/MUTILATED TICKETS :

Duplicate ticket can be issued only in case of torn/mutilated confirmed/RAC tickets. The duplicate ticket can be issued against torn/mutilated ticket if it is reported to the railway and the passenger can travel on the accommodation reserved by him, by making payment and getting a duplicate ticket as per following table : A) Before the chart preparation Under this rule the duplicate ticket (in lieu of lost/misplaced/torn/mutilated/reserved/RAC tickets) will be issued  before the preparation of the reservation chart, duplicate ticket will be issued on the collection of the clerkage charge per passenger.If the loss of confirmed/RAC ticket is reported after the preparation of the reservation chart, duplicate ticket will be issued on the collection of the 50% of the fare Refund on torn/mutilated ticket is admissible on torn/mutilated if its genuineness and authenticity are verified on the basis of of particulars visible on the face of such ticket .subject to the deduction of cancellation charges as per rules, provided that the authenticity of such a ticket is verified at the station on the basis of particulars visible on the face of ticket. NOTE : 1) No duplicate ticket against lost RAC ticket is permitted after the chart preparation. 2) No duplicate ticket is issued against Wait List lost/torn/mutilated tickets.

REFUND OF DUPLICATE TICKET :

If lost tickets are traced and presented along with the duplicate ticket before the departure of the train, refund is permitted for the duplicate ticket after deduction of 5% of the charges paid subject to a min. of Rs. 20/-. Thereafter, original ticket becomes valid for travel as well as refunds.

REFUND ON TICKETS PURCHASED ON CREDIT CARD :

Tickets purchased on credit cards can be cancelled and Credit Slip obtained only at such Railway Stations where Credit Card counters exist. If you need to cancel your tickets at other stations, where such counters are not available, please cancel your reservation and obtain a Ticket Deposit Receipt. You can then apply to Chief Commercial Manager (Refunds) of the zone, to which the Ticket Deposit Receipt - issuing station belongs.

REFUND ON TATKAL TICKET :

1) 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 upto 24hrs before the schedule departure of train. Thereafter, no refund will be granted on cancellation of confirmed Tatkal ticket except under the conditions prescribed below 2) Full refund of fare and Tatkal Charges will be granted on the tickets booked under this scheme in the following circumstances: 1.     If the train is delayed by more than 3 hours at the journey originating point of passenger and not the boarding point if the passenger's journey originating point and boarding point are different. 2.     If the train is to run on diverted route and the passenger is not willing to travel; boarding station or the destination station or both the stations are not on the diverted route 3.     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. 4.     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. 5.     The booking under tatkal scheme will be done only from the originating to terminating point of the train with boarding facility from intermediate station. However zonal railways have been given the discretions of imposing restrictions on tatkal booking regarding defining trains as end to end or keeping it free or imposing distance restriction etc. Keeping in view the over all utilization of the accmmodations avliable in the train 3) No refund will,however,be permissible on the reservations made under Tatkal scheme in case the coach, in which accommodation under Tatkal scheme has been earmarked, is not attached and the accommodation has been provided to the Tatkal passengers in the normal train services in the same class.