Fact Check: IRCTC clarifies SM post about restrictions in booking e-tickets is false

Indian Railways, known as the lifeline of India, is an essential mode of transportation for daily passengers and tourists alike. Due to the huge number of passengers relying on the railway, even minor changes in ticket booking procedures or fare hikes quickly spread across social media.

Recently, a notice purportedly issued by IRCTC officials circulated on social media. The notice claimed that individuals could only book tickets for blood relations or those with the same surname using their personal ID. It also warned that booking tickets for friends or others could result in a fine of up to Rs 10,000, a jail term of up to 3 years, or both.

Users are sharing a screenshot, tagging IRCTC to confirm its authenticity. They are requesting that, if the information is incorrect, strict action should be taken against those who spread false information in the name of IRCTC.

We found a few users are questioning IRCTC, Is this true?

A few users mentioned, 'Smoking North-South divides again!’

Fact Check: We found the claim is misleading. IRCTC clarified that one can book tickets through their personal User ID on IRCTC for friends, family, and relatives. Upon searching for the official notice, we found that IRCTC shared a clarification on their social media. In the post, IRCTC mentioned that the news circulating on social media about restrictions in booking e-tickets for those having different surnames is false and misleading.

During the search, we also found that the Railway spokesperson posted a statement on the viral circular on their social media.

It is clarified that tickets from IRCTC site are being booked as per Railway Board Guidelines and required information is available on the public domain as under:

1. One can book tickets on personal User ID for friends, family, and relatives.

2. Booking can be done for up to 12 tickets per month which in case of Aadhaar-authenticated users can go up to 24 tickets per month, if one of the passengers on a ticket is also Aadhar authenticated.

3. Tickets booked on personal user IDs are not meant for commercial sale and such an act is an offense under section 143 of Railways Act, 1989.

We found India.com also published an article with a headline “Railway Online Ticket Booking Rules Update: Booking IRCTC E-Tickets for Others Still Allowed, Confirms Railway”.

As per Infra.com IRCTC account holders can book e-tickets for others having different surnames: Railways

Financial Express also published an article with headline: “According to the Indian Railways, tickets can be booked using one’s personal user ID for friends, family, and relatives”.

'False and misleading': Indian Railways clarifies social media claims about booking restrictions on IRCTC, was published by Business Today.

Hence, based on our investigation and articles published by the media, we found the claim is misleading. IRCTC clarified that one can book tickets using their personal user ID for friends, family, and relatives.