Waitlisted ticket not confirmed? This IRCTC scheme can help you out

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) Vikalp scheme provides some relief to all the train passengers with waitlisted tickets. During the festive season, it becomes extremely difficult to get confirmed train tickets. A lot of people's
waitlisted tickets never get confirmed. 

IRCTC Vikalp scheme :-

IRCTC inducted the option of Vikalp for the ease of Indian Railways passengers. IRCTC Vikalp option has been primarily incorporated to assure a seat on the route selected by the passengers in either of the trains. According to IRCTC, the  Vikalp facility doesn’t provide a confirmed train ticket or berth to the passengers in the alternate train as it is subject to the availability of train and berth.

Who can use IRCTC Vikalp option?

Passengers are allowed to choose the Vikalp option after booking train tickets through the ticket booking history link before the preparation of reservation charts. IRCTC Vikalp option can be a good option for all the passengers who are flexible of the journey date and other related trains plying on the desired route. Passengers who are strictly bound according to their respective schedules may find it a little difficult as a delay in the journey dates may hamper their forthcoming official plans. 

Benefits of Vikal Scheme:

The scheme is applicable for all trains and classes. This scheme is for all the passengers included in the waiting list, even if they have booked tickets from any quota. Under this scheme, a passenger can give an option of five trains at a time. This facility is only for those travellers who have booked tickets in waiting and even after the chart was made, their name was in the waiting list only.

Important passenger information regarding Vikalp scheme:

• Opting for VIKALP does not mean that confirmed berth will be provided to passengers in alternate train. It is subject to train and berth availability.
• Once confirmed in Alternate train, Cancellation charges will be as per your berth/train status in alternate train.
• In this scheme, your boarding and terminating station might change to nearby cluster stations.
• You can be transferred to any alternate train opted and departing between 30 minutes to 72 hours from the scheduled departure of the original train, in which you have booked.
• The option of VIKALP scheme is available at a later stage before charting also through booked ticket history link.

Please check PNR status after charting.

Terms and conditions of Vikalp Scheme:

1. This scheme is implemented for passengers of all train types and classes.
2. The scheme is applicable to all waiting list passengers irrespective of booking quota and concession.
3. Under this scheme, passengers will opt max 7 trains for VIKALP scheme.
4. VIKALP opted passengers who booked in waiting and remain fully waitlisted after charting will only be considered for allotment in the alternate train.
5. Fully WL passengers opted for VIKALP should check PNR status after charting. No extra charges shall be taken from passenger or any refund shall be provided for difference of fare.
6. Either all passengers of a PNR or none will be transferred to alternate train in the same class. The passenger can be considered for shifting to a train leaving from any station amongst the cluster of stations defined by Railways based on the convenience of the passengers to a station serving the destination station on the same analogy.
7. The VIKALP opted passengers who have been provided accommodation in the alternate train will not figure in the waitlisted charts of their original train. A separate list of passengers transferred in alternate train will be pasted along with the CONFIRMED and WAITLIST charts.
8. The passenger allotted alternate accommodation can travel in the alternate train on the authority of original ERS/SMS. Waitlisted passengers of original train shall not be allowed to board the original train if allotted alternate accommodation.
9. Passengers once provided alternate accommodation in alternate train will be treated as normal passengers in alternate train and will be eligible for upgradation.
10. In rare situations, passengers who have been provided alternate accommodation might get dropped/re-allotted in alternate train due to last-minute change in the composition of the alternate train at the time of chart preparation. So, passengers who have been provided alternate accommodation should check PNR status also after preparation of charts of the alternate train for final status.
11. This information will be available on Call Centre (139), PRS Enquiry Counters, Passenger Operated Enquiry Terminals installed at stations and web enquiry on www.indianrail.gov.in
12. When VIKALP opted passenger opts to cancel after he has been given an alternate accommodation, he will be treated as a CONFIRMED passenger and the cancellation rules will apply accordingly.
13. No refund for the difference of fare between the original train and the alternate train, including Tatkal charges, will be given to re-allocated passengers.
14. Once a VIKALP opted passenger has been allotted alternate accommodation, journey modification will not be permitted. If required, the passenger will have to cancel the ticket and book a fresh ticket for the modified journey.
15. When a passenger who has been allotted alternate accommodation has not performed his journey in the alternate train, he can claim for refunds by filing a TDR request.
16. Train list once selected under VIKALP scheme can be updated only once. VIKALP Scheme once successfully opted cannot be changed.