IRCTC New Rules: Train travel in India is the easiest and most economical mode for common people. IRCTC’s aim behind changing the rules for train ticket booking is to stop fraud in ticket booking. Today, we will tell you what changes have been made in the new rules of IRCTC.

While booking tickets from the IRCTC website or app, passengers will now receive an OTP on their mobile number. Unless you verify this OTP, you will not be able to go to the payment page. This rule will apply to all passengers, whether you have registered on IRCTC earlier or not. Its purpose is to ensure that the ticket is booked by the right passenger. Apart from this, security and privacy can be further strengthened.

From May 1, the advance train ticket booking period has been reduced to 90 days. That is, now any passenger will be able to book tickets for travel only 90 days in advance. This rule has come into effect from May 1, however this rule will not apply to festival and special trains.

Under the new rules, the railways have made the refund policy easier. Earlier, it used to take 5 to 7 days for the money of a cancelled ticket to be returned, but now the refund will be credited to your account in just 48 hours i.e. 2 days. This facility is available for both tickets booked online and from the counter.

Railway tickets will now be valid only for the same day and the train which is mentioned on the ticket. If you have booked an e-ticket, then it is not necessary to take its printout. You can travel by showing the ticket on your mobile.

If you cancel a confirmed ticket 48 hours before the departure of the train, then you will have to pay different charges according to the coach. For First AC or Executive Class, you will have to pay a cancellation charge of Rs 240. Whereas for 22acor First Class, you will have to pay a cancellation charge of Rs 200, for 3a, Rs 180, for Sleeper Class, Rs 120 and for Second Class, you will have to pay a cancellation charge of Rs 60.

Railways have also introduced a new rule for those with waiting tickets. If you have a waiting list ticket, you will not be able to travel ina  sleeper or an AC coach from May 1. That means now there will be no exemption for travelling without a confirmed ticket.