IRCTC had a facility known as Tatkal Reservation enabling last minute travelers to board the Train to their destinations. However, the scheme was mis-used to a large extent because of Agents. Thus to provide the real benefit of the scheme, Indian railways has modified the IRCTC Tatakal Reservation Rules.
- Booking Allowed only one day in advance excluding the day of travel. In some Cases the booking maybe allowed 2 days in Advance depending on the Origin and Destination of Train. For Example, on Bangalore to Mumbai Chalukya Express, if you are boarding from Pune, then you can book 2 days in advance. IRCTC Systems have been designed to consider the departure time at Origin for the Rule of One Day in Advance for Tatkal Tickets
- A maximum of 4 Passengers can be Booked on 1 Tatkal Ticket / PNR
- New Addition – At the time of booking, one of the following prescribed forms of identity proof must be provided for at least one of the passengers. The passenger whose ID Card Number is indicated on the Ticket MUST travel and cannot cancel, in addition he must carry the ORIGINAL Identity Card for verification by the TTE – Travellers Ticket Examiner during Journey. Failing to furnish Identity as prescribed, shall be treated as passengers without ID and proper fine shall be levied. The following Screenshot Shows the Same for your convenience
- List of Valid ID Cards at IRCTC / Indian Railways
1. Driving License
2. Passport
3. Pan Card
4. Voter Identity Card – Voter I-Card
5. Central/State Government issued ID Card – Govt issued I-Card
6. Student Identity Card – Student I-Card
7. Nationalised Bank Passbook – Bank Passbook
8. Credit Cards issued by Banks – Credit Card
Note:
1. In Tatkal quota Ticket ID card for at least one passenger traveling should be entered. ID card for other passengers is optional.
2. On cancellation at least one ID Card holder passenger should remain in the ticket.
3. If all the ID card holder passengers in the ticket are canceled, the ticket will get fully cancelled.
- Agents cannot book Tatkal Tickets at Counters between 08:00-10:00 HRS IST
- Agents are restricted to BOOK Only One Tatkal Ticket Per Day through the website of IRCTC
- No Refund is available on cancellation of Tatkal Train tickets unless it is fault of the Indian Railways such as – Cancellation of Train, Running Late for More than 3 Hours, etc
Hopefully, TATKAL will now serve the Purpose for which it was Opened 🙂 IRCTC’s Official Complaint Resolution and Grievance Box is now on the Web.
Of late, it is experienced that the IRCTC website is not opened at the scheduled time for tatkal booking. Even if opened, the berth/seat vacancy position goes to wait-list or regret/wL and the like. To get a tatkal e-ticket is considered as a hilarious task and achievement. Of for certain trains like Garibrath which consists of all 3A coaches, there is no much difficulty because the tatkal quote would be more. Remedial steps are solicited.