Indian Railways authorizes SMS as a train ticket

The Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has authorized to permit SMS as a valid ticket at par with the Electronic Reservation Slip (ERS).

Effected from February 2012, the passengers can now simply show SMS sent by IRCTC to the railway checker as a proof of ticket. The SMS should contain all important details like the PNR, train number, journey date and time, name of passenger(s), coach and seat number as well as the total fare paid.

The SMS also needs to be carried along with a confirmed  reservation and a valid ID-proof. The name of the passenger or passengers should also appear on the travel chart, to confirm the reservation. If the passenger fails to show the SMS but has the aforementioned proof of identity, a penalty of Rs. 50 per ticket will be applied.

Apart from the SMS, according to PIB, passengers can also show screen shot of the e-ticket displayed through laptops/palmtops/mobile phones referred to as virtual reservation Message (VRM) and the Mobile Reservation Message (MRM) for tickets booked on mobile phones combined with valid photo-id in original, as an instrument on par with the Electronic Reservation Slip (ERS), even for tickets booked through the IRCTC website.

How to book a train ticket using your mobile phones

1. Go to the web browser and type in https://www.irctc.co.in/mobile

2. Login using your IRCTC user id and password. Newcomers will need to create a new id

3. Now click on the 'Book Ticket/ Enquiry' and  and fill the details of your journey

4. Select the train and preferred timings

5. Fill in the passenger form. You can either add from the existing passenger list or 'Add passengers'

6. Confirm your details and choose a method of payment ( credit/ debit card)

7. Enter the payment details and continue to get the confirmation

8. It is advisable to carry a print out of the Electronic Reservation Slip (ERS) in case the SMS does not display properly and a valid photo id while traveling.