Many of us use IRCTC's website and app to book Indian Railways tickets online. This official online platform of Indian Railways is used by thousands of passengers every day. Through this app or website, you can book your own ticket or tickets for your friends. Recently, a piece of news about IRCTC went viral on social media platforms, claiming that if you book someone else's ticket online using your IRCTC ID, you may be liable for prosecution.
Is it true that booking someone else's ticket could lead to jail time?
This rumour quickly spread across social media causing tension among thousands of IRCTC users. However, IRCTC clarified and debunked this rumour through its official social media channels, and also explained the rules for booking tickets on IRCTC.
IRCTC clarified that the news circulating on social media about e-ticket booking is completely false. Users are permitted to book tickets for individuals with different surnames using their IRCTC ID. IRCTC also outlined the rules for e-ticket booking:
- Users can book tickets for their friends, family, or relatives using their personal ID, and there is no restriction on booking tickets for individuals with different surnames.
- A maximum of 12 tickets can be booked per month using a personal ID, and users are required to have their Aadhaar card linked to their IRCTC ID. If another traveller in the group also has an Aadhaar-authenticated ID, the user can book a maximum of 24 tickets per month using their personal ID.
However, it is important to note that tickets booked using personal IDs are not for commercial sale. Any such activity will be considered an offence under Section 143 of the Indian Railway Act 1989. This means that users cannot use their personal ID to book and sell tickets for profit, but they are permitted to book tickets for their relatives and friends.
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