Indian Railways issues both E-tickets and I-tickets. The main difference between these two types of tickets is how they are issued and delivered to the passenger. An E-ticket is a ticket that can be booked online through the IRCTC website or other authorized websites or apps. An I-ticket is a physical ticket booked online through the IRCTC website or other authorized websites or apps.
What are Indian Railways e-Tickets?
Electronic tickets, more popularly known as e-Tickets, are the digital equivalent of paper tickets. Earlier, passengers had to go to PRS booking centers of Indian Railways and fill up a reservation form to reserve seats and obtain paper tickets. However, with the advent of technology and digitalization, Indian Railways has introduced the facility of paperless electronic tickets aka e-Tickets for passengers. Today, you can book e-Tickets online through your computers or smart phones from the comfort of your home provided that you have access to the internet. You can also cancel your e-Tickets, change the boarding point, transfer it to a family member, and avail a number of other services related to e-Ticket booking.
Booking an E-ticket
E-tickets can be booked on the IRCTC website or through other authorised websites or apps. The passenger must provide journey details such as origin and destination stations, date of travel, and class of travel. The passenger will receive an SMS or email confirmation with a unique 10-digit PNR number after the booking is confirmed.
PNR Number
The PNR number is a one-of-a-kind identification number that is generated when a ticket is booked. It includes details about the passenger, the journey, and the booking status. The passenger can use the PNR number to check the status of the booking, print the ticket, or cancel them.
Ticket Printing
To board the train, the passenger can either show the E-ticket on their mobile phone or take a printout of it. In the case of a printout, the passenger must have a valid identity proof, such as an Aadhaar card, PAN card, or passport, in addition to the printed ticket.
Cancellation and Refund
Online cancellation of e-tickets is possible through the IRCTC website or authorized websites or apps. The refund will be processed according to the Indian Railways’ cancellation policy, and the payment will be credited back to the passenger’s bank account or wallet.
What is I-Ticket?
An I-ticket, also known as a physical ticket, is a ticket that is booked online through the IRCTC website or other authorised websites or apps and delivered to the passenger’s address through courier or speed post. It is a physical ticket that provides details of the journey, the passenger’s name, and other relevant details. Here are some details about I-tickets
Booking an I-ticket
I-tickets can be booked online at the IRCTC website or through other authorised websites or apps. The passenger has to provide travel details, passenger information, and the delivery address. The I-ticket is printed on special stationery paper and delivered to the passenger’s address through courier or speed post once the booking is confirmed.
Ticket Delivery
The I-ticket is delivered to the passenger’s home address through a courier or speed post. Depending on the location, the ticket is normally delivered within 2–3 days. When boarding the train, the passenger must show this I-ticket along with a valid identity proof, such as an Aadhaar card, PAN card, or passport.
Cancellation and Refund
I-tickets can be cancelled online on the IRCTC website or through authorised websites or apps. The passenger has to submit the original physical ticket to the IRCTC office, along with a cancellation request form. The refund will be processed according to the Indian Railways’ cancellation policy, and the payment will be refunded back to the passenger’s bank account.
Difference between E-Ticket and I-Ticket
Characteristics | E-Ticket | I-Ticket |
|---|---|---|
Ticket Delivery | Emailed to the passenger or can be downloaded from the website and shown on the mobile phone or printed by the passenger. | Printed on a special stationery paper and delivered to the passenger’s address through courier or speed post. |
Printing Required | Not required | Not required because the ticket is already printed and delivered to the passenger. |
Validity | It is valid as long as the unique 10-digit PNR number is present and matches the identity proof. | It is valid as long as the physical ticket is present and matches the identity proof. |
Cancellation and Refund | Can be cancelled and refunded online through the IRCTC website or authorized websites or apps. | can be cancelled online, but the physical ticket needs to be sent along with a cancellation request form to the IRCTC office. |
Advantages | Convenience, eco-friendliness, easy cancellation, and refund | Physical ticket, no need for printing, no need for the internet, easy cancellation and refund |
Booking | Booked online | Booked online |
Eco-friendliness | paperless, eco-friendly option | Uses paper, not an eco-friendly option. |
Convenience | Convenient and easy to book and manage online. | Requires additional time for delivery and receipt of the physical ticket. |
FAQs
What Details Does an e-Ticket Contain?
- PNR number
- Train name/ number
- Source station
- Destination station
- Boarding station
- Station up to which you have reservation
- Transaction ID
- Booking date
- Journey date
- Travel class
- Quota
- Concession, if any
- Scheduled departure time
- Name, age, and gender of passenger/s
- Seat/berth number
- Coach number
- Booking status
- Food preference (for trains like Rajdhani, Shatabdi, etc.)
- Ticket fare
- Travel policy details, etc.
Is there an official mobile app to book IRCTC e-Tickets?
Yes. Since Sampark Kranti trains have general/unreserved (GEN/UR) coaches, you may travel in this train without prior reservation.
Practice area's of B K Goyal & Co LLP
Income Tax Return Filing | Income Tax Appeal | Income Tax Notice | GST Registration | GST Return Filing | FSSAI Registration | Company Registration | Company Audit | Company Annual Compliance | Income Tax Audit | Nidhi Company Registration| LLP Registration | Accounting in India | NGO Registration | NGO Audit | ESG | BRSR | Private Security Agency | Udyam Registration | Trademark Registration | Copyright Registration | Patent Registration | Import Export Code | Forensic Accounting and Fraud Detection | Section 8 Company | Foreign Company | 80G and 12A Certificate | FCRA Registration |DGGI Cases | Scrutiny Cases | Income Escapement Cases | Search & Seizure | CIT Appeal | ITAT Appeal | Auditors | Internal Audit | Financial Audit | Process Audit | IEC Code | CA Certification | Income Tax Demand Notice | Psara License | FCRA Online
Company Registration Services in major cities of India
Company Registration in Jaipur | Company Registration in Delhi | Company Registration in Pune | Company Registration in Hyderabad | Company Registration in Bangalore | Company Registration in Chennai | Company Registration in Kolkata | Company Registration in Mumbai | Company Registration in India | Company Registration in Gurgaon | Company Registration in Noida | Company Registration in lucknow
Most read resources
tnreginet |rajssp | jharsewa | picme | pmkisan | webland | bonafide certificate | rent agreement format | tax audit applicability | 7/12 online maharasthra | kerala psc registration | antyodaya saral portal | appointment letter format | GST Search Taxpayer | caro 2020 | Challan 280 | itr intimation password | internal audit applicability | preliminiary expenses | mAadhar | e shram card | aaple sarkar portal | epf activation | scrap business | brsr | depreciation on computer | west bengal land registration | traces portal | Directorate general of GST Intelligence | form 16 | rtps | patta chitta