Festive season has begun and most of you might have packed bags for holiday while some of you must be struggling with train tickets. Every year there is a surge in number of train passengers during Diwali and Chhath festivities. Some easily get the confirmed tickets, while others are stuck with waiting list and this chain continues. If you too are struggling with train tickets, then Vikalp Scheme by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has got you covered.

What Is VIKALP?

VIKALP is an initiative launched by the IRCTC, which provides an alternative train option for passengers, if they aren’t able to get confirmed seats with their original booking. This scheme is implemented for passengers of all train types and classes. It is applicable to all waiting list passengers irrespective of booking quota and concession. Interestingly, through this scheme, the passengers can opt maximum seven trains. Once confirmed in alternate train, the cancellation charges will be applied as per your berth/train status in alternate train. While, boarding and terminating station of passengers might change to nearby stations.

No additional charges will be taken from the passenger for opting the scheme.

The passenger can be transferred to any alternate train opted and departing between 30 minutes to 72 Hours from the scheduled departure of original train, in which they have booked.

The VIKALP opted passengers who have been provided accommodation in the alternate train will not figure in the wait listed charts of their original train. A separate list of passengers transferred in alternate train will be pasted along with the CONFIRMED and WAITLIST charts.

Passengers who are provided with alternate accommodation will be treated as normal passengers in the alternate train and they will be eligible for up gradation.

If the passenger decides to cancel the Vikalp option, the cancellation rules will apply accordingly. Option of VIKALP scheme is available at later stage before charting also through booked ticket history link. For final status, passengers who have been provided alternate accommodation should check PNR status also after preparation of charts of the alternate train.

However, IRCTC has cleared that 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.

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