IRCTC Vikalp | Alternate Trains Accommodation Scheme

IRCTC Vikalp is launched. If unfortunately, you have to travel with a waitlisted ticket in Indian Railways then there is a good news for you and all other train travel lovers, just ahead of busy festive seasons as the IRCTC is working towards making the booking of train tickets easier.

Indian Railways is providing confirmed tickets to passengers on the wait list, who are forced to travel with waiting tickets, on an alternative train on the same route to make their travel smoother and hassle-free.

On November 1, 2016, the Indian Railways has launched the 'Alternate Trains Accommodation Scheme' (Vikalp). Under this scheme, a passenger whose ticket is not confirmed on a long distance train is provided with a berth in an alternative train, traveling towards the same route.

According to the new system, while booking tickets, a passenger would be allowed to select alternative trains they wish to travel if in case their seat in the existing train is not confirmed. The option will be available also for passengers traveling from stations which are not origins or destinations.

The IRCTC Vikalp scheme has been implemented across mail/express trains of the same category, and no extra charges shall be taken from passengers, and no refund shall be provided for the difference of fares". Separate seats will not be earmarked for the scheme.

Generally, the passengers like traveling to popular trains which makes special trains go vacant. Under the new scheme, the waitlisted passengers will be shifted to these special and newly launched trains to avoid overcrowding in the trains. This will also help to low down the rush in a popular train in which generally waiting list goes beyond 300 during festive seasons. After implementation, this scheme is helping in reducing the holiday rush in trains.

Things to know about IRCTC Vikalp Scheme 



  1. If you have opted for Vikalp scheme then confirm berth will be provided only if the train berth available in the alternate train. 
  2. If your berth is confirmed in the alternate train then cancellation charges will be applicable as per the berth/train status in the alternate train.
  3. Your boarding and terminating station might change to nearby cluster stations. So be care full.
  4. You can be transferred to an alternate train opted by you which is departing between 30 minutes to 12 Hours from the scheduled departure of the original train, in which you have booked the ticket.
  5. Though "Booked ticket history" link, the Vikalp scheme can be opted until before charting even after booking a ticket 
  6. Please check PNR status after charting to confirm the status.
  7. This scheme is implemented for passengers of all train types and classes.
  8. The scheme is applicable to all waiting list passengers irrespective of booking quota and concession.
  9. Under this scheme, passengers can opt max 5 trains for VIKALP scheme train list.
  10. VIKALP opted passengers who booked in waiting and remain fully Waitlisted after charting will only be considered for berth allotment in the alternate train.
  11. Fully WL passengers opted for VIKALP should check PNR status after charting to confirm the status.
  12. Thre are no extra charges taken from the passenger or any refund is provided for difference of fare.
  13. Under the Vikalp scheme, all passengers of a PNR transferred to alternate train in the same class. Otherwise, none will be transferred to an alternate train. 
  14. 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 issued along with the CONFIRMED and WAITLIST charts.
  15. The passenger allotted alternate accommodation can travel in the alternate train on by showing original ERS/SMS of eTicket.
  16. Waitlisted passengers of the original train shall not be allowed to board the original train if allotted alternate accommodation.
  17. Passengers once provided alternate accommodation in alternate train will be treated as normal passengers in alternate train and will be eligible for up-gradation.
  18. In rare situations, passengers who have been provided alternate accommodation might get dropped/re-allotted in the 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.
  19. All the IRCTC Vikalp related 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
  20. 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.
  21. The refund for the difference in fare between the original train and the alternate train, including Tatkal charges, will not be given to re-allocated passengers.
  22. Once a VIKALP opted passenger has been allotted alternate accommodation, journey modification will not be permitted. If required, you will have to cancel the ticket and book a fresh ticket for the modified journey.
  23. 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.
  24. Train list once selected under VIKALP scheme cannot be changed.
  25. VIKALP Scheme once successfully opted cannot be changed.

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