Confirmed IRCTC ticket: VIKALP increases chance to get confirmed reservation - Know how it works

IRCTC VIKALP: Getting a confirmed ticket during holidays and festivals can be a very difficult task. Even after trying our best while booking tickets, sometimes we don't get a confirmed ticket. But there is a system called, the Alternate Train Accommodation Scheme (ATAS), also known as 'VIKALP', which has been implemented in trains to confirm accommodations to wait-listed passengers and ensure optimal use of available accommodations.

Opting for VIKALP, while booking a ticket through IRCTC, does not confirm the berth to passengers in alternate trains. This depends on the availability of trains and berths. Once confirmed in alternate train. Cancellation charges will be as per your berth/train status in an alternate train.

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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, which you have booked. Option of VIKALP scheme is available at a later stage before charting also through booked ticket history link. 
 

What are the features of VIKALP:

• This scheme is implemented for passengers of all train types and classes.
• The scheme is applicable to all waiting list passengers irrespective of booking quota and concession.
• Under this scheme, passengers will opt max 7 trains for the VIKALP scheme.
• VIKALP opted passengers who booked in waiting and remain fully waitlisted after charting will only be considered for allotment in the alternate train.
• Fully WL passengers who opted for VIKALP should check their PNR status after charting.
• No extra charges shall be taken from the passenger, or any refund shall be provided for the difference in fare.
• Either all passengers of a PNR or none will be transferred to an 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.
• 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 trains will be pasted along with the confirmed and waitlist charts.
• The passenger allotted alternate accommodation can travel in the alternate train on the authority of the original ERS/SMS.
• Wait-listed passengers of the original train shall not be allowed to board the original train if allotted alternate accommodation.
• Passengers once provided alternate accommodation in alternate trains will be treated as normal passengers in alternate trains and will be eligible for upgradation.
• In rare situations, passengers who have been provided alternate accommodation might get dropped/re-allotted in an alternate train due to a 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 the PNR status also after preparation of charts of the alternate train for final status.
• 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
• When VIKALP opted a 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.
• No refund for the difference in fare between the original train and the alternate train, including Tatkal charges, will be given to re-allocated passengers.
• 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.
• When a passenger who has been allotted alternate accommodation has not performed his journey on the alternate train, he can claim a refund by filing a TDR request.
• The train list once selected under the VIKALP scheme can be updated only once.
• VIKALP Scheme once successfully opted cannot be changed.