indian railway news: Indian Railways has recently made some important changes in the ticket booking process. The aim of these changes is to provide better convenience to passengers and make the ticket booking process easier. Many new features have been added to the new system which will prove beneficial for the passengers.
In this article we will tell you in detail about these new changes made by Indian Railways. We’ll take a look at what these changes are, how they will work, and how you can take advantage of them. We will also see what benefits these changes will bring to the passengers.
Introduction to the new ticket booking system of Indian Railways
Indian Railways has made many major changes in its ticket booking system. The main objective of these changes is to provide better service to passengers and make the ticket booking process more convenient. Many new features have been included in the new system which will prove to be very useful for the passengers.
Highlights of the new ticket booking system
| Speciality | Description |
| Improvement in online booking | IRCTC website and mobile app have been upgraded |
| Changes in Tatkal ticket booking | Tatkal ticket booking time has been changed |
| Improvement in waiting list system | Waiting list clearance process has been improved |
| Changes in refund process | Ticket cancellation and refund process has been simplified |
| Launch of new premium trains | New premium trains have been started on some routes |
| Seat upgrade facility | Passengers can now easily upgrade their seats |
| Linked PNR System | Linked PNR facility for multiple passengers in a single booking |
| real-time train status | Passengers can now know train status in real-time |
Improvement in online ticket booking
Indian Railways has made many changes in the IRCTC website and mobile app. These changes have made the online ticket booking process even easier and faster.
New features in IRCTC website
- New User Interface: The design of the IRCTC website has been completely changed. The new interface is more user friendly and attractive.
- Faster booking process: The ticket booking process on the new website has become much faster than before. Now you can book your ticket in just a few seconds.
- Smart Search: With the new Smart Search feature you can easily find your favorite train. This feature also gives suggestions based on your search history.
- Multi-Factor Authentication: Multi-Factor Authentication system has been implemented to enhance account security.
Improvements in IRCTC mobile app
IRCTC mobile app has also been updated. Many new features have been added to the new app:
- Offline Booking: Now you can book tickets even when there is no internet connection. The app works in offline mode and the booking process is completed as soon as an internet connection is available.
- Voice Search: Now you can search for trains with your voice. Just say the train name or number and the app will give you all the information.
- Live Train Status: You can check the location and status of your train in real-time on the app.
- QR Code Tickets: You no longer need paper tickets. You can travel by scanning the QR code found on the app.
Changes in Tatkal ticket booking
Some important changes have also been made in the Tatkal ticket booking system. These changes are aimed at making the Tatkal ticket booking process more fair and convenient.
new tatkal booking time
- For AC class: from 10:00 am
- For non-AC classes: from 11:00 am
New rules for Tatkal booking
- Only two Tatkal tickets in a day from one user ID: This will ensure equal distribution of tickets.
- Change of name is not allowed on Tatkal tickets: This will prevent ticket touting.
- Priority to senior citizens in Tatkal quota: Passengers above 60 years of age will be given priority in Tatkal ticket booking.
- Dynamic Pricing: The price of Tatkal tickets will vary as per the demand.
Improvement in waiting list system
Many changes have also been made in the waiting list system. These changes will increase the chances of passengers getting confirmed tickets.
new waiting list rules
- Automatic Upgradation: As soon as a seat becomes vacant, the ticket of the passenger at the top of the waiting list will be automatically confirmed.
- Real-Time Updates: Passengers can check their waiting list status in real-time on their mobile.
- Preference Based Waiting List: Passengers can choose priority in the waiting list as per their choice.
- Waiting List Prediction: IRCTC will now use Artificial Intelligence to predict how likely your waitlisted ticket is to be confirmed.
Changes in refund process
The ticket cancellation and refund process has been made more passenger friendly. Now it’s easier than ever to get a refund.
new refund rules
- Instant Refund: Refund on online cancellation will be credited to your bank account instantly.
- Partial Refund: Now you can also do partial cancellation of your ticket and get refund in the same proportion.
- Automatic Refund: In case of train cancellation or delay, refund will be automatically credited to the passengers’ account.
- Refund Tracking: You can track the status of your refund in real-time.
Launch of new premium trains
Indian Railways has started new premium trains on some selected routes. These trains will provide fast and comfortable travel experience to the passengers.
Features of premium trains
- High-Speed: These trains run much faster than normal trains.
- Better amenities: These trains have Wi-Fi, mobile charging points, better seats and other modern amenities.
- Punctual Timing: These trains strictly follow timings.
- Fewer stoppages: These trains have fewer stoppages, which reduces travel time.
Seat upgrade facility
Now passengers can easily upgrade their seats. This facility has been launched to provide a better travel experience to the passengers.
Seat upgrade rules
- Online Upgradation: Passengers can upgrade their seats by visiting the IRCTC website or app.
- Last Minute Upgrade: Seat upgrades can be made up to 6 hours before travel.
- Upgrade Fee: Only class difference fee will be charged for upgrade.
- Auto-Upgrade Option: Passengers can opt for auto-upgrade at the time of booking.
Linked PNR System
Linked PNR system is a new feature which provides different PNR numbers for multiple passengers in a single booking.
Benefits of Linked PNR
- Easy Cancellation: Cancellation of a single passenger does not affect the entire booking.
- Individual travel details: Every passenger gets his own separate PNR, making it easy to maintain personalized travel details.
- Flexible Booking: Facility to start or end journey from different stations in a single booking.
- Better seat allocation: The system allocates seats as per the needs of every passenger.
real-time train status
Passengers can now know the train status in real-time. This feature will help passengers plan better.
Features of real-time train status
- Live Location Tracking: Can see the current location of the train through GPS.
- Platform Information: You will get information on which platform the train will arrive at the upcoming station.
- Delay Information: In case of train delay, you will get immediate information.
- Estimated Arrival Time: Estimated arrival time of the train will be given at every station.
Benefits of new ticket booking system
These new arrangements made by Indian Railways will provide many benefits to the passengers:
- Time Saving: Passengers will save time due to faster online booking process.
- Better facilities: New premium trains and upgraded facilities will improve the travel experience.
- Transparency: Real-time updates will provide accurate information to passengers.
- Flexibility: Features like linked PNR and partial cancellation will provide flexibility in travel planning.
- Security: Multi-factor authentication will make online transactions more secure.
- Equitable arrangement: The new Tatkal rules will ensure equitable distribution of tickets.
conclusion
These new arrangements made by Indian Railways will definitely prove beneficial for the passengers. These changes will not only make the ticket booking process easier but will also improve the overall travel experience. By making better use of technology, Indian Railways has made its services more passenger-centric.
This new system will provide greater convenience, transparency and flexibility to passengers. Besides, this will also improve the efficiency of Railways. The positive impact of these changes will be seen in the coming times and the experience of Indian Railway travel will become even better.
Disclaimer
This article is based on some important announcements and policy changes recently made by Indian Railways. However, it is important to note that railway policies and rules keep changing from time to time. Therefore, while planning any journey or booking tickets, please confirm the latest information from the official website of IRCTC or from official sources of Indian Railways.
The information provided in this article was correct at the time of writing, but may be subject to change in the future. Some of the announced policies may still be in the implementation stage and may take some time to be implemented. Therefore, travelers are advised to always check the latest rules and policies before their travel.
Also, this article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as legal or financial advice. For any special issue or problem, please contact authorized representatives of Indian Railways or use their official helpline.
