Press Release 

Promoting Rail Tourism – New Policy of Reservation for Foreign Tourists and NRIs

 To promote India’s rail tourism to foreigners, from 14^th July 2107 the Indian Railway has provided a facility wherein Foreigner Tourists (FT) and Non-Resident Indians (NRI) can book train tickets under ‘FT Quota’ on IRCTC e-ticketing website www.irctc.co.in  up to 365 days in advance. The following accommodation (per coach) will be available for booking: 

• Eight berths (two cabins) in First Class Air-conditioned Coach
• Four berths (one cabin) in composite First Class Air-conditioned (AC) cum Second AC sleeper coach
• Eight berths per Second AC coach (two inside berth cabins)
• Ten berths in Air-conditioned Executive Class coach

 Features of the Scheme:

1.The user’s international mobile number will be noted during user registration/ updating of user profile. To verify mobile number, an OTP will be sent to the user’s registered mobile number. Another OTP will be sent on to the user’s e-mail to verify e-mail ID.

2.Passport number of FT / NRI will be noted at the time of booking e-tickets.

3.If the user has not verified his mobile number prior to booking his e-ticket, they will be asked to update their profile with new mobile number with ISD code. This updated profile will be verified through an OTP or SMS sent to an international mobile number.

4.User can pay through international debit/ credit card via the following payment gateways:

(i)AMEX (for American Express International cards)

(ii)ATOM (for all International cards)

5.Users will also be able to book normal ARP/ Tatkal tickets (earmarked berths open for reservation 24 hours in advance).

6.After a ticket booking is successful, the ticket booking information will be SMSed and e-mailed to the user’s international mobile number and user’s registered e-mail ID.

7.In case berths booked are more than the above earmarked berths, a berth allocation SMS will be sent to the FT Quota users at the time of opening of ARP (120 days) as soon as berths are allotted by the PRS system.

8.Users can also download ERS (Electronic Reservation Slip) from website for booked tickets after berths are allotted by PRS system.

9.If a berth is not allotted to FT Quota users for any reason, a cancellation SMS/ email informing about the unsuccessful booking and refund being processed will be sent. Refund will be sent back to the same international debit/ credit card and through same Payment Gateway which was used for booking.

10In case the FT Quota user cancels the tickets booked under this facility, a flat rate of 50% of the fare shall be deducted in addition of the cancellation charges applicable while refunding the amount. The time limit for granting 50% refund will be as per extant rules i.e. up to 4 hours before scheduled departure of train, through website only.