Most of us are using IRCTC website to book e-tickets to perform journey by train but most of us are not aware of certain rules on e-tickets. Some of the important rules I have noticed is given below:
The tickets booked are not transferable and is valid only if one of the passenger booked on an e-ticket presents any one of the prescribed original identity cards during the train journey, as proof of identity failing which the passengers will be treated as travelling without ticket and shall be dealt with as per existing Railway Rules.
The identity cards prescribed for this purpose are Voter Identity Card / Passport / Pan card / Driving license Photo Identiy card of Central/State Government / Student Identity Card with photograph issued by recognized School/College for their students / Nationalised Bank Passbook with photograph / Credit Cards issued by Banks with laminated photograph.
Change of boarding station & change in name of E-Ticket passenger is allowed and will be granted for once only.
Passengers should approach the nearest Railway Reservation Office with ‘Electronic Reservation Slip’ print out and photo identity proof in original of one of the passenger traveling in the ticket at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure of train;
Reservation offices can change ‘Boarding Station’ & ‘Passenger Name’ against a request from the passenger as per existing rules applicable to other counter booked tickets.
The change in name of the passenger holding confirmed e-reservation has been permitted as per existing rules and the same is:
a. Where the passenger makes a request in writing 24 hours before the scheduled departure of train to the nearest Railway Reservation office. It can be transferred to an-other member of his family, meaning, Father, Mother, Brother, Sister, Son, Daughter, Husband and Wife. He should bring the ‘Electronic Reservation Slip’ print out along with photo identity card proof in original & a proof for blood relation desired to be changed
b. Where the passenger is a Government Servant proceeding on duty and appropriate authority, makes a request in writing 24 hours before the scheduled departure of train.
Passengers with ERS/VRM along with any one of the eight prescribed ID proofs in original and the indication of their name(s) in the Reservation Chart are authorized to travel.
VRM combined with valid photo-id in original will be treated as an instrument on par with the ERS.
ERS is the Electronic Reservation Slip which is the printout containing reservation particulars and instructions (e-ticket printout) , which is used by the passenger along with the relevant authorized Identity cards during the journey.
VRM is Virtual Reservation Message which is a screen-shot of the e-ticket displayed through laptops/palmtops/ Mobile phone.
In case the train is cancelled, full refund permissible in case the ticket is cancelled within 72 hours of the scheduled departure of the train. Such cancellations of e-tickets can be done through internet. If e-tickets are not cancelled with 72 hours of the scheduled departure of the train, TDR can be filled with option ‘Train Cancelled’ to get refund through TDR. (TDR = Train Deposit Receipt)
E-mail id and Mobile Number are now mandatory for IRCTC users and are being verified.
