Now, one person can buy only 6 online rail tickets a month

A new rule, to be operational from February 15, a person can only book a maximum of six railway tickets from one email ID in a month. Currently, an individual user can purchase up to 10 tickets on IRCTC website. The decision has been taken to prevent touts from misusing the online ticketing facility, said the railway ministry on Thursday. In a monitoring exercise, the IRCTC has found that 90 per cent of e-ticket buyers book less than six tickets a month. Only 10 per cent were found to be booking more than six tickets a month. There are some other rules which are also in operation in using IRCTC website. According to these rules, Quick Book Option remains disabled from 8 am to 12 noon. All types of ticketing agents (YTSK, RTSA, IRCTC agents etc) have been debarred from booking tickets during the first 30 minutes of opening of booking. Booking is not allowed through e-wallet and cash cards from 8 am to 12 noon. There is also only one booking in one user login session except for return/onward journey between 8 am to 12 noon. In another decision, unreserved tickets for less than 199 kms journey will be valid only for three hours. The decision has been taken to prevent misuse of the tickets. DHNS