IRCTC Vikalp Scheme {विकल्प स्कीम}

The Vikalp Scheme started by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation, also known as IRCTC. This scheme will provide help to those passengers who look for seat reservations but do not get a definite seat. The passengers who do not get confirmed seats can go for the Vikalp option. Vikalp option has included ensuring a seat on the chosen route in alternate trains. The seat confirmation on the train depends on the availability of seats.

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism (IRCTC) Vikalp scheme is a very beneficial scheme for the users as its chances of getting confirmed accommodation for the journey. This scheme is applicable on all trains and for all classes, across all quotas' that included concession tickets as well as tatkal bookings.

Highlights

Key Features

• Vikalp option does not mean that you will get the confirmed seat on the alternate train.
• The passengers will get the seat on the train or not. It entirely depends on the availability of the seats in the alternative train.
• Your boarding and terminating station can also be changed into nearby cluster stations under this scheme.
• The alternative train departure period may be in between 30 minutes to 72 hours of the original train time in which the passenger applies for the reservation of the seat.
• If you choose the Vikalp option, then you must check PNR status after charting.
• This scheme is available for all trains to all waiting list passengers.
• The passengers are allowed to select a maximum seven times Vikalp option for an alternate train.
• After charting the original train, the waiting list passengers will get a seat in an alternative train.
• If any passengers choose the Vikalp option, then there will be no extra charges taken from the passengers.
• If the difference is fare or not then also passengers will not get any refund from IRCTC.
• On the authority of original ERS or SMS, the passengers are allowed to travel in the alternate train
• If once the passenger's selected Vikalp option, then alternate train accommodation will be allotted to the passenger.
• The passengers are not allowed to travel on the original train after opting for the Vikalp option.
• The information about this will be provided to the call centre (139), PRS Enquiry Counters, Passenger Operated Enquiry Terminals installed at stations as well as web inquiry on www.indianrail.gov.in.
• Once you select the Vikalp option and the authority will allocate the seat in the alternate train if you cancel the travel then cancellation charges are applicable for the seat because the authorities will consider you as a confirmed passenger.
• Once you select the Vikalp scheme, you are not allowed to make any changes in it.

Key Points

• If the passenger does not get the seat till the train starts, then the passenger will be provided with a seat on the next train that is going on the same route. It will provide some relief to the passengers lying on the waiting list.
• It is also confirmed in the guidelines that there will be no extra charges taken from the passenger.
• But if there is a difference in the fee of the train ticket, then there will be no refund provided to the passenger in that case.
• The railway department has decided to start some new on the luggage route due to festivals.
• The person can take the benefits of this scheme only under online ticket booking.
• This plan will also help in improving the problem of an increase in the waiting list to some extent.
• Under this plan, it is assured that the passenger will get the confirmed seat.
• There is no guarantee provided by the railway department to provide the confirmed seat because it depends on the availability of the seats on the other train.

Process to Get Confirmed Tickets

• This plan is only for those passengers who do not have a confirmed ticket on their original train. If the name of the passengers comes in the waiting list after the departure of the train, then only passengers will be considered as eligible for this plan.
• For this, the passengers are advised to check the PNR status after charting the original train. If the name of the passenger is shown on the waiting list, then the passenger can check his PNR status as well as find out if he has got a ticket on the alternate train or not.
• The passenger who does not get the seat in his original train will get the seat in the alternative train within 12 hours from the scheduled departure of the original train. This will allow the passenger to reach the nearby station of their choice.
• Under this plan, all the passengers who have the same PNR will be provided one box on an alternate train.

Benefits

Under the Vikalp Scheme, the passengers can get the following benefits:

• There is a high chance of getting a confirmed seat under this plan.
• Even if you have purchased a ticket for a regular passenger train then also you can travel faster or higher grade trains under this plan, and you do not have to pay any extra fee.
• You do not have to see which train seat is confirmed and which ticket you have to buy. This will help you to save money.
• If you cancelled the ticket after the allocation of seats in the alternate train, then the cancellation charges will be applied as the railway department will consider you a confirmed passenger.

Eligibility Criteria

Any passenger whose name is under the waiting list is eligible to apply under this scheme.

Rules of Vikalp Scheme 

• The passengers are allowed to choose the maximum of seven alternative trains under this plan.
• The passengers who are on the waiting list after the departure of the original train are considered for this scheme.
• There are no extra charges that will be taken as well as no refund will be given to the passengers.
• Once you get seat allocation on an alternate train, then you are not allowed to travel in the original train.
• The passengers are not allowed to make any modifications in their journey as well.
• If the passenger does not want to go on the alternate train, then he can apply for a refund of his fare at TDR (ticket deposit receipt).
• Once the Vikalp option is opted for, you cannot change it.

The Registration Process

1. First, you have to book a ticket online on the IRCTC website.

2. After this, you have to go to the "My bookings" section. This option will be appearing under the "My Account" menu option on IRCTC. 

3. This option will be seen by those passengers who have done the IRCTC login already.

4. Now you have to select your ticket, and you will see an option that is applying in Vikalp Scheme.

5. You will be asked to give a maximum of 7 choices from the list of trains in which you want to travel. You have to make a choice, and after that, click on the submit button.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which department is running the Vikalp scheme 2020?

The scheme is running by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation, also known as IRCTC.

Q: Why was this plan launched?

This plan was launched to provide some relief to the passengers whose tickets are not confirmed. Under this scheme, they will allocate a seat in alternate trains by the railway department.

Q: Will any cancellation charges apply if someone cancels the ticket after confirmation on the alternate train?

Yes, the passenger has to pay cancellation charges.

Q: Can passengers travel to the original train after the confirmation in the alternate train?

No, the passenger is not allowed to travel on the original train after the confirmation on the alternate train.