Railways May Scrap Clerkage Fee; Tatkal Booking Rules Tightened
New Delhi: In a move that could bring relief to millions of train passengers, Indian Railways is considering doing away with or reducing the ‘clerkage fee’ deducted during ticket cancellations, especially for waitlisted or Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) tickets.
Currently, Rs 60 is deducted as clerkage for confirmed AC and non-AC bookings, while Rs 30 is charged for unreserved second-class tickets. This administrative fee is not refunded, even if the ticket remains unconfirmed. It also applies to cancellations made through IRCTC.
According to reports, Railway authorities have started internal discussions on this issue. The possible revision comes in light of lower operational costs due to the growing shift from offline to online bookings.
“Many passengers lose both their seat and a part of their money. Removing clerkage will help,” a senior railway official said.
The convenience fee, collected by IRCTC, remains separate. It is Rs 30 for AC and Rs 15 for non-AC tickets.
Tatkal Booking Tightened from July 1
Indian Railways has also introduced a new rule for Tatkal ticket bookings. From July 1, 2025, passengers can book Tatkal tickets on IRCTC only after completing identity verification.
Users must provide Aadhaar details or upload valid government-issued ID documents through DigiLocker.
This step, directed by the Railway Minister, aims to curb misuse and ensure safer bookings.
Chart Preparation Timeline May Change
The Railways is also planning to revise the reservation chart preparation schedule. At present, charts are generated four hours before departure, which often causes uncertainty for last-minute travellers.
The new proposal suggests that charts be prepared eight hours before departure. For trains departing before 2 PM, final charts may be ready by 9 PM on the previous day.
This change will give passengers more clarity and reduce confusion, especially for those boarding from intermediate or nearby stations.
Rail Fare Hike from July 1
In a related development, Indian Railways has increased ticket fares for passenger trains from July 1, 2025. The hike is minor and applies to selected categories.
A Step Towards Passenger-Friendly Reforms
These potential and implemented changes reflect Indian Railways’ broader efforts to make travel more passenger-friendly, transparent, and efficient, especially ahead of the festive and holiday travel season.
