IRCTC Launched SMS Based Train Reservation Bookings

IRCTC Launched SMS Based Train Reservation Bookings-Railway E-ticket now from mobile- IRCTC introduces for the first time a non-internet based ticketing system that will empower masses even in remote areas to use the omnipresent mobile device to make reservations. Millions of rail travellers can now use their mobile phones to book tickets in a simple, convenient and secured manner.It uses simple SMS or menu-based USSD technology which works on all mobile phones and involves no internet and costs very little.
The services can be currently availed by IRCTC registered users only.

Advantages of booking IRCTC tickets via mobile:

• No need to stand in long queues or log onto the internet. 
• Simple, reliable and secured. 
• Accessible to any mobile user. 
• Very little charges for accessing the service. 
• Works on all handsets. 
• Simple user guided menu - book tickets, search for stations, trains, availability. 

1. USSD based booking through Airtel*

    Registration

• Register for Airtel money by dialing USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Services Data) number *400#. 
• Load cash on this or recharge from any Airtel money outlet. 

   Booking Flow

• Dial *400# and select book tickets option. 
• Select Reservation. 
• Enter your IRCTC User ID. 
• Enter the details of ticket (station, train no. date of journey, class etc.). 
• Enter mPIN for authorizing payment through Airtel money. 
• Booking confirmation SMS is sent by IRCTC and same can be used during journey along with valid ID proof.. 
• Fare & service charges are debited from your Airtel money account. 
• PG Charges: Currently NIL 
• Agent Service Charges: Currently NIL 
• Helpline No.: 121 
• Helpline Email : 121@airtelmoney.in 

2. SMS based booking through 139*

    Registration

• Register your mobile number with IRCTC as well as with your bank. 
• Bank provides MMID (Mobile Money Identifier) & OTP (One Time Password) through IMPS (Immediate Payment Service) option. 
• More than 25 banks are providing IMPS facility. For generating MMID & OTP, visit Website:http://www.npci.org.in/impsmerpay10.aspx.) 

    Booking Flow

• Generate OTP through your Bank for authorization of payment. 
• Send SMS, in the following syntax, to 139 BOOK <TrainNo><FromStn.Code><ToStn.Code> <TravelDate (DDMM)><Class><Passenger-Name><Age><M/F> 
• You will receive Transaction ID alongwith other details. 
• Make payment through sending an SMS, in the following syntax, to 139 PAY <Transaction ID as received><IMPS><Your MMID as received from the bank><OTP, your one time password as received from the bank for this transaction><IRCTCUserID> and your ticket is booked; confirmation SMS is received on your mobile and same can be used during journey along with valid ID proof. 
• Service is available to all mobile subscribers. 
• SMSes @ Rs 3/- per SMS (2 SMSes are required for each booking). 
• PG charges Rs 5/- for ticket amount < Rs 5000/ and Rs 10/- for ticket amount >= Rs 5000/- (as applicable by bank). 
• Agent Service Charges: NIL 
• Helpline No.: 139 
• Helpline Email : smsticket139@bharatbpo.in

3. SMS based booking through 5676714*

    Registration

• Register your mobile number with IRCTC as well as with m-wallet (http://www.zipcash.in/user/nlogin.aspx) 
• Send SMS, to 5676714, in the following syntax START < irctc user Id > for user authentication (first time only) 

    Booking Flow

• Send an SMS to 5676714 to book a ticket in the following syntax: BOOK <From stn.code>,<to stn.code>, <DDMMYY>, <Trainno>,<Class>,<passenger name>,<age>,<M/F> 
• 1. "PAY , MPAY, < m-PIN >" for authorizing payment through MPAY OR 
• 2. "Send <mobileno>,<mmid>,<amount>, <transaction Id>,<OTP>" to your Bank IMPS number. 
• After payment is made booking confirmation is sent to your mobile. 
• SMSes @ Rs 3/- per SMS (2 SMSes are required for each booking). 
• PG Charges: Currently NIL 
• Agent Service Charges: As applicable. 
• Helpline No. : 8882001001 
• Helpline Email : support@saarthii.com 

4. SMS based booking through BSNL*

User should have the following:

1. 1. BSNL SIM card installed. 
2. 2. Java enabled mobile phone. 
3. 3. Andhra Bank Prepaid card. 

• This is a menu driven application where user has to enter the details asked for in simple step-by-step process to get the ticket. 

    Registration

• Install the application. 
• Select the Register option to get the mPIN. 

    Booking

• Click the icon BSNL Prepaid Card 
• Select Ticketing > Train (IRCTC) 
• Fill up the journey details such as From stn, To Stn, Train No, DOJ, Class, Quota, passenger details. 
• Enter the mPIN to get the ticket information. 
• SMSes: without charges. 
• PG Charges: Currently NIL 
• Agent Service Charges: As applicable. 
• Helpline No. : 040-39849644 
• Helpline Email : bsnl.support@pyrogroup.com 

           E-ticketing through IRCTC website, www.irctc.co.in, has revolutionized the way the common man deals with the railways and has been the biggest success story of e-governance in India. Taking this further, keeping an eye on growing mobile phone market in India, IRCTC now launched two other modes of ticket booking through SMS and USSD... and you don`t need an Internet connection in your mobile for this.
       So, next time you book a rail ticket, take out your mobile.

The (*) Marked services will not be available between 0800-1200 hrs. However, the ticket can still be booked using mobile through IRCTC main site www.irctc.co.in