Child Train Ticket Rules | IRCTC Child Ticket Rules

Child Train Ticket Rules | IRCTC Child Ticket Rules

Ministry of Railways

• No change in the rule related to booking of tickets for Children travelling in train
• It is optional for passengers to buy ticket & book berth for children below 5 years
• Free travel is allowed for children below 5 years, if no birth is booked

Posted On: 17 AUG 2022 2:02PM by PIB Delhi

There have been some recent media reports that claim that Indian Railways has changed the rule with regards to booking of tickets for Children travelling in the train. These reports claim that now children between the age of one to four years will have to get a ticket for traveling in the train.

These news items and media reports are misleading. It is informed that Indian Railways has not introduced any changes with regards to booking of tickets for children travelling in the train. On the demand of the passengers, an option has been given to them to buy a ticket and book a berth for their under 5 year old child if they want. And if they don’t want a separate berth, then it is free, same like it used to be earlier.

A Circular dated 06.03.2020 of Ministry of Railways states that Children under five years of age shall be carried free. However, separate berth or seat (in chair car) shall not be given. Therefore purchase of any ticket is not required provided separate berth is not claimed. However, if berth / seat shall be sought on voluntary basis for children of age below 5 years then full adult fare shall be charged.

Source: PIB

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
RAILWAY BOARD

Master Commercial Circular no 12 of 2020

No/TC-II/ 2910 / 2016/ child fare/ VIP

New Delhi, dated 06.03.2020

The Pr. Chief Commercial Managers,
All Zonal Railways

Sub: Fare for children.

Ref: 1. Rule no. 211 of IRCA Coaching Tariff no. 26 Part I (Vol 1).
2. Commercial Circular No. 71 of 2015 dated 02.12.2015.
3. Commercial Circular No, 30 of 2017 dated 24.04,2017.
4. Commercial Circular No, 60 of 201.8 dated 23.10.2018.
5. Board’s letter of even no. dated 09.12.2015.

In continuation of all above instructions issued on child fare, Ministry of Railways have decided to issue consolidated instructions on child fare as under:

• Age of Child: Child below 5 years of age
• Class of travel: Both reserved and unreserved
• Applicable fare: Children under five years of age shall be carried free & purchase of any ticket is not required. However, if berth / seat shall be sought on voluntary basis for children of age below 5 years then ticket shall be issued as under: 1. Full adult fare shall be charged. 2. Divyangjan (children) as per Railway, rule shall be eligible for concession on adult fare.
• Age of Child: Children of age 5 years to below 12 years
• Class of travel: Reserved accommodation (except sitting) if berth is sought
• Applicable fare: In case of children of age 5 years to under 12 years of age for whom full berth (in Reserved class) is sought at the time of reservation, full adult fare for such children shall be charged” (CC 71 of 2015 dated 02.12.2015).
• Age of Child: Children of age 5 years to below 12 years
• Class of travel: If berth is not sought (NOSB)
• Applicable fare: If no berth is opted for., the’ children of age 5 years to under 12 years of age ‘at the time of reservation in such cases only half of the applicable adult fare shall be charged and in this case minimum distance of charge shall not be applicable.” (CC 30 of 2017 dated 24.04.2017).
• Age of Child: Children of age 5 years to below 12 years
• Class of travel: Reserved sitting accommodation
• Applicable fare: In reserved sitting accommodation, full adult fare shall be applicable. “Child NOSB (no seat option) booking shall not be. permitted in CC, EC, 2S, BA etc classes” (CC 60 of 2018 dated 23.10.2018),
• Age of Child: Children of age 5 years to below 12 years
• Class of travel: Unreserved accommodation
• Applicable fare: In unreserved classes, for children of age 5 years to below 12 years’ of age, half of adult fare shall be applicable subject to minimum distance for charge. (CC 71 of 2015 dated 02.12.2015),
• Age of Child: Children 12 years & above
• Class of travel: All classes
• Applicable fare: “Passengers of 12 years and above shall be charged full fare” (Rule 211 of IRCA Coaching Tariff no. 26  Part I Vol(I))

Other conditions:

1. In case of NOSB tickets, tickets for unreserved class etc., for child where half of the adult fare is applicable the same shall be applicable on the basic fare. Other charges like superfast charges, catering charges, GST etc, if applicable shall be levied in full. (Para no. 101 (3) (e) of IRC A coaching Tariff no. 26 Part 1 (Vol II)).

2. Single child or group of children without adult attendant, shall be allowed only in case berths are opted with full fare”. However, tickets for children will be issued with no berth option by linking the PNR of parents / guardians / attendants subject to certain conditions issued vide CC No, 60 of 2018 dated 23.10.2018 which is enclosed at Annexure-I.

3. Other relevant clarifications issued vide this office letter no. No.TC II/2910 / 98/ child fare dated 09.12.2015 is enclosed at Annexure-II.

4. This issues with the concurrence of Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.

5. Necessary instructions may be issued to all concerned.

(Shelly Srivastava)
Director Passenger Marketing Railway

SOURCE: https://indianrailways.gov.in/