Ministry of Railways

Booking to Tatkal Tickets & Measures to Avoid Misuse of Tatkal Scheme

On Indian Railways, reserved accommodation including Tatkal accommodation can be booked through computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS) on first come first served basis. During peak rush periods/days when demand outstrips the availability, reserved accommodation especially in higher classes and on popular routes gets exhausted within short duration of opening of reservation. However, during lean periods, on non-popular and lower classes, the accommodation remains available for longer duration. The phenomenon is more relevant for Tatkal where limited accommodation is earmarked. This happens as the available limited accommodation is accessed simultaneously through more than 10,300 counters at 3465 computerised Passenger Reservation Centers as well as through internet.

To avoid misuse of Tatkal Scheme, there are some inbuilt features in Tatkal scheme which includes provision of not granting refund on cancellation of confirmed Tatkal tickets except in case of certain special circumstances indicated in the scheme, not allowing any modification of Tatkal ticket, etc. Some additional steps have also been taken to facilitate the passengers and to avoid the misuse, some of which are:-

• Staggering of the timings of reservation under Tatkal scheme.
• Captcha implementation in Registration, Login and Booking page to check fraudulent booking through automation software.
• Imposition of minimum time limit before proceeding for payment gateway as well as after making payment while booking tickets through internet.
• Making OTP(one time password) compulsory for all net Banking Payment options.
• Disabling authorised agents to book Tatkal tickets during first half an hour of opening of reservation.

To keep a check on the activities of touts, preventive as well as regular checks are conducted jointly/individually by Vigilance, Security and Commercial Departments, and the action against the culprits is taken as per provisions of Section 143 of Railways Act, 1989.

This information was made available in reply to a question in Rajya Sabha.

Source: PIB News

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Indian Railway Tatkal Price

As per the announcement made in the Railway Budget 2013-14, It has been decided to revise 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.

Tatkal Charges for Second Sitting 

Tatkal Charges before journey starting date 24.12.2015

Tatkal Charges for Second Class

Tatkal Charges applicable for journey starting from 24.12.2015 onwards

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 the preparation of charts. At the time of preparation of charts, the unutilized portion may be released to the General RAC/Waiting list passengers.

The tatkal facility is also available in Executive Class of Shatabadi Express trains also, by earmarking 10% of the accommodation available i.e. 5 seats per coach.

Tatkal Timings

Tatkal booking opens at 10 AM for AC Classes and 11 AM for NON-AC Classes on One day in advance the actual date of journey excluding date of journey w.e.f. of 15.06.2015 (commercial circular no: 34 of 2015).

For example, for train leaving on 6th, Tatkal Booking will Commence at 10 AM for AC Classes on 5th and at 11 AM for NON-AC Classes on 5th.

No duplicate Tatkal tickets shall be issued. Duplicate Tatkal tickets shall be issued only in exceptional cases on payment of full fare including Tatkal charges.

Tatkal Booking Documents

At the time of Tatkal ticket booking no need to furnish identity proof, Only one passenger needs to produce any one of the following proof of identity in the original during the journey:-

1. Voter Photo identity card issued by the Election Commission of India.
2. Passport
3. PAN Card issued by Income Tax Department.
4. Driving Licence issued by RTO.
5. Photo identity card having serial number issued by Central/State Government.
6. Student Identity Card with photograph issued by recognized School/College for their students.
7. Nationalized Bank Passbook with a photograph.
8. Credit cards issued by banks with laminated photograph.
9. Unique Identification Card “Aadhaar”.
10. Photo identity cards having serial numbers issued by Public Sector Undertaking of State/Central Government, District Administration, Municipal bodies, and Penchant Administration.

Agents / RTSAs/Web service agents/Web agents of IRCTC are restricted from booking Tatkal tickets between 1000 hours and 1200 hours. This restriction shall be enforced through frequent inspection at the counters. The agents both web service agents and web agents shall also be restricted from booking Tatkal tickets on the internet between 1000 hours and 1200 hours.

Even for internet booking for Tatkal tickets, the passenger shall enter the identity proof type and number, which is to be used for travel. These details shall be printed on the ERS/indicated on the VRM/MRM as well as in the reservation chart.

• It will be possible to book a maximum of only four passengers per PNR for Tatkal tickets.
• The web services agents of IRCTC will be permitted to book only one Tatkal ticket per train per day on the internet.
• The facility of change of name is not permitted on the bookings made under Tatkal scheme
• TDRs are not being issued for waiting list tickets.

Tatkal Charges Refund

No refund will be granted on cancellation of confirmed Tatkal tickets/duplicate tatkal ticket except in case of circumstances mentioned in para 2 of instructions contained in Commercial Circular no. 53 of 2006 issued vide letter no. 2006/TGII/ 20/P/Tatkal, dated 30.06.2006. 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 the case of nonattachment 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 the lower class and does not want to travel. In case the party travels in the lower class, the passenger will be given a refund of the difference of fare and also the difference of Tatkal charges, if any.

Tatkal bookings’ charges increased from December 25

The Railways have increased the reservation charges for Tatkal tickets. The revised rates will come into effect from December 25 onwards.

According to a press release from the Railways, The maximum reservation charges for sleeper class under the Tatkal scheme has been increased from Rs.175 to Rs.200. The minimum charges have been increased from Rs.90 to Rs.100. The maximum and minimum charges will depend on the distance to be traveled.

The maximum reservation charges for A.C. Third Class has been increased from Rs.350 to Rs.400. The minimum charges have been increased from Rs.250 to Rs.300. For the Second Class A.C., the maximum Tatkal reservation charges have been increased to Rs.500. The minimum charges have been increased to Rs.400. There are no changes of rates for the Second Class Seating coaches.

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Facilities for Women Passengers for buying Train Tickets at Reservation Counters

Ministry of Railways has been providing special facilities to women passengers for conveniently buying tickets at railway reservation counters. The Ministry has further elaborated facilities as follows: –

(a) At computerized reservation office, a separate reservation counter should be earmarked for ladies if the average demand per shift is not less than 120 tickets.

(b) In case, there is no justification for earmarking of exclusive counter for ladies, the requests received from ladies should be dealt with along with the reservation requests of the specific categories viz. senior citizen, physically handicapped, ex. MPs, MLAs, accredited journalists, freedom fighters etc.

(c) At those reservation offices where separate reservation counters have not been earmarked for ladies and also those locations which have not been computerized, ladies/female passengers should not be compelled to join the general queues and be attended to separately at the same counter as for general passengers. A suitable notice board about the availability of this facility should also be displayed near the reservation counter. This facility will however be available only from 11:30 hours to avoid misuse of this facility by unscrupulous elements to block accommodation during opening hours of general and Tatkal reservation.

(d) Ladies may be allowed to purchase tickets from these reservation counters irrespective of persons for whom the reservation is being sought. However, no other persons will be allowed to purchase ticket for them from these counters.

(e) As far as earmarking of separate unreserved ticket counters for ladies, zonal Railways have been asked to assess the demand and do the needful based on the same.

Source: PIB News

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Ministry of Railways decides to remove the condition of providing photocopy of identity card or indicating its number at the time of purchase of Tatkal ticket.

The modified Tatkal provisions to come to effect by 1st September, 2015. The exact date of effect will be notified separately.

Ministry of Railways has decided to modify some of the rules pertaining to purchase of tatkal tickets. Under the modified rules, there will be no need to furnish photocopy of proof of identity while booking Tatkal ticket from computerised reservation counter or to indicate its number at the time of booking of Tatkal ticket at the counter or through internet.

In addition, as per the proposed changes, in case of ticket booked under Tatkal scheme, one of the passengers has to produce anyone of the following proofs of identity in original during the journey, failing which all the passengers booked on that ticket will be treated as travelling without ticket and charged accordingly : –

(i) Voter Photo Identity Card issued by Election Commission of India.
(ii) Passport
(iii) PAN Card issued by Income Tax Department
(iv) Driving Licence issued by RTO
(v) Photocopy Identity Card having serial number issued by Central/State Government
(vi) Student Identity Card with photograph issued by recognized School/College for their Students
(vii) Nationalised Bank Passbook with photograph
(viii) Credit Cards issued by Banks with laminated photograph
(ix) Unique Identification Card “Aadhar”
(x) Photo identity cards having serial number issued by Public Sector Undertaking of State/Central Government, District Administrations, Municipal bodies and Panchayat Administrations.

These modifications will come into effect by 1st September, 2015. The exact date of effect will be notified separately.

As per extant instructions for undertaking journey on Tatkal tickets, the passenger at the time of booking a ticket from PRS centre has to provide a photocopy of identity card which he/she will carry during the journey. The number of this identity card is indicated on the ticket as well as reservation chart and during the journey the passenger has to carry the same original proof of identity failing which he/she is treated as travelling without ticket and charged accordingly. In case of passengers booking ticket through internet, the number and type of identity card to be carried by the passenger during the journey is indicated at the time of booking of ticket and the passenger has to carry the same original proof of identity during the journey failing which all the passengers are treated as travelling without ticket and charged accordingly. These provisions are now being modified as mentioned in the first two paragraphs.

Source: PIB News

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There is now a reduction in the jamming of the IRCTC website that occurred because AC and Second Class passengers were trying, at the same time, to book tatkal tickets online. It has therefore now become easier for passengers to book second class tickets on the internet. Nearly 15000 tickets are being booked through IRCTC website at tatkal hours. The huge traffic will be diverted into two segments such as AC and Non AC. Timings for the Railway Tatkal ticket booking have been changed from 15th June 2015. Previously the booking under Tatkal Scheme opens at 10.00 hrs on the previous day of journey from train originating station for all classes. According to the new schedule, booking for the AC coaches will open at 10 AM and ticket bookings for the other non AC classes are open at 11 AM. And one more important decision taken by the Railway Board is completely debarred from booking tickets during the first thirty minutes of opening of booking for all authorized IRCTC Agents.

Generally the total number of seats of a train are divided into various quotas. Such as General Quota, Tatkal Quota, Ladies Quota and Pooled Quota. These quotas will differ for different trains. 30% of the total available Berths on a train are allocated for Tatkal Quota, and 10% are set aside for sitting tickets. Approximately 2 seats will be allocated in each coach for Ladies Quota. And nearly 8% of seats reserved for Pooled Quota. In AC Coaches, 16 tickets for each 3-tier AC coach and 10 tickets of 2-tier AC coaches are also being allocated for the online tatkal booking. Accommodation reserved not only for Ladies, also Sr. Citizen and Pregnant Women. Accommodation of six berths in sleeper class of all the trains is earmarked for exclusive use of lady passengers. In addition to this a combined quota of 2 lower berths is earmarked in sleeper class, AC 3-Tier and AC 2-Tier classes for Sr. Citizens, Female passengers 45 years of age and above traveling alone and pregnant women in all trains. Pregnant women will be required to submit a certificate of pregnancy certified by one registered Medical Practitioner at the time of booking against the quota.

So totally 40% tickets are being set aside for quota reservations. With more than 80% of the population preferring to travel in second class, it becomes a moral duty of the Government to give due importance to it. With a reduction in crowds for online Tatkal booking, many feel that it has now become slightly simpler to book tickets in the revised timings. Yet, in another view, many feel that the two-queue system, of 10 AM and 11 AM, which is being followed in all reservation counters of railway stations, is not effective because if you are unable to book tickets in one queue, you almost always end up not getting the tickets in the other queue too. This article originally posted at cgstaffnews.in – For timely updates, follow on facebook

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