Don't Believe Rumors: IRCTC highlights three important rules for booking train ticket

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has moved swiftly to dispel misinformation circulating on social media regarding train ticket bookings. According to recent claims on various platforms, it was alleged that booking tickets for individuals with different surnames could lead to severe penalties including fines up to Rs 10,000 or imprisonment for up to 3 years. However, IRCTC has categorically stated that these assertions are baseless.

In a statement posted on X, IRCTC clarified, "The news circulating on social media about restrictions on booking e-tickets due to different surnames is false and misleading." The corporation emphasized that users can indeed book tickets for friends, family, and relatives using their personal User IDs.



The false claims suggested stringent measures that IRCTC allegedly planned to implement, targeting those who booked tickets for individuals not sharing the same surname or familial relation. Contrary to these rumors, IRCTC reaffirmed that ticket bookings comply strictly with guidelines set forth by the Railway Board, publicly accessible and outlined as follows:

Personal User IDs can be used to book tickets for friends, family, and relatives without any restrictions based on surnames.

Each user can book up to 12 tickets per month, with the limit extended to 24 tickets for Aadhaar-authenticated users, provided at least one passenger on each ticket is Aadhaar-authenticated.

It is reiterated that tickets booked using personal User IDs are intended solely for personal use and not for commercial purposes. Any misuse, such as selling tickets commercially, is considered an offense under Section 143 of the Railways Act 1989.

IRCTC urged the public to disregard such misleading information and cautioned against spreading unsubstantiated claims. The corporation continues to ensure transparency and adherence to established guidelines for the convenience of rail passengers across the country.