Vikalp In IRCTC

What is Vikalp in IRCTC? 

Vikalp is a scheme to provide confirmed accommodation to waitlisted passenger of a train by providing berth / seat in alternate opted train leaving between 30 minutes to 72 hours from schedule departure of original train in which booking was actually done. Initially this facility was started for only E-Tickets ( tickets booked over internet) but now this facility has been extended to PRS counter tickets also. 

(toc)

History of Vikalp 

On 1-11-2015, With a view to provide confirmed seat to waitlisted passenger , a scheme called Alternate Train Accommodation (ATAS) was introduced on pilot basis in two routes namely Delhi - Lucknow and Delhi -Jammu of indian Railway for a period of six months. Based on its outcome , Toady this scheme has been extended on indian railway on pan india basis and popularly known as VIKALP option /scheme. 

Salient feature of Vikalp 

The salient features of Vikalp scheme is as follows: 

Allotment Process: Passengers who have opted for VIKALP and remain fully waitlisted at the time the first reservation chart ( 4 hours before schedule departure of train) is prepared are considered for allotment in an alternate train. 

Confirmed Accommodation: Passengers on the waiting list have the flexibility to select an alternative train (Max 7 trains can be opted) departing within 72 hours of the original ticket's booking time. 

Last-Minute Option: Even if passengers did not initially choose Vikalp at the time of booking, they can opt for it up to 24 hours before the scheduled departure of their train. 

Applicability:The scheme is applicable to all waiting list passengers, regardless of their booking quota class or concession eligibility. 

Zero Extra Charges: Passengers do not incur any additional charges for utilising Vikalp, and there are no refunds provided for differences in fare. 

All-or-None Transfer: When transferring passengers to an alternate train, it's an all-or-none situation for passengers listed under the same PNR (Passenger Name Record). Either all passengers on a single PNR are transferred to an alternate train in the same class, or none of them are. 

Exclusion from Original Train: Passengers who have been allotted alternate accommodation are not allowed to board the original train for which they had a waiting list status. 

Pan-India Availability: Vikalp is available on pan india basis on all trains and class. 

Optimal Utilisation: The scheme aims to optimise the utilisation of available accommodation on trains, making the best use of the railway network's capacity. 

Benefit of vikalp in irctc 

The Vikalp scheme offers several benefits to passengers, making train travel in India more convenient and passenger-friendly. Here are the key benefits of Vikalp: 

• Confirmed Accommodation 
•  Flexibility in Travel Plans No Extra Charges 
•  Minimal Hassle 
•  Smooth Journey 
•  Nationwide Availability 
•  Equal Opportunity ( applicable to all waiting list passengers, irrespective of their booking quota and concession) 
•  All-or-None Transfer 

How to get vikalp in Irctc 

 To get berths under vikalp scheme follow the below steps: 

STEP 1 Booking Your Ticket: Start by booking your train ticket as you normally would through the IRCTC website or app or through PRS Ticket counter. 

STEP 2 Check Your Waitlist Status: After booking, monitor your booking status. If your ticket is on the waiting list, you are eligible for Vikalp. 

STEP 3 Opt for Vikalp: To avail Vikalp service, you need to choose an option during the booking process, you'll see a checkbox or option that asks if you want to opt for Vikalp. Make sure to select this option. Note: If you are making ticket through Ticket counter select the box of vikalp and submit. 

Step 4 Wait for Confirmation:Once you've opted for Vikalp, your request will be processed. IRCTC will evaluate seat availability on alternative trains that have a similar route and class preference. This evaluation typically happens after the chart for your original train is prepared. 

Step 5 Receive Notification: If alternative accommodation is available on an alternative train, IRCTC will notify you through SMS or email. This notification will inform you about the new train's details, including its departure time and date. 

Step 6 Choose Your Option: Upon receiving the notification, you have a choice. You can either accept the alternate train option provided or choose to remain on the waiting list for your original train. 

Step 7 Boarding the Alternate Train: If you decide to accept the alternative train option, make sure to board that train as per the details provided in the notification. Your seat on the alternate train is confirmed, and you should travel as planned. 

 How to cancel opt vikalp in irctc 

To cancel an opted Vikalp booking follow these steps: 

Log In to Your IRCTC Account: Visit the official IRCTC website (www.irctc.co.in) and log in to your account using your username and password. 

Access Your Booking History: After logging in, navigate to the "Booking History" section. You can usually find this under the "My Account" or "My Bookings" tab on the website. 

Locate Your Vikalp Booking: In the booking history section, look for the specific booking for which you had opted for Vikalp. You should see details of your booking, including the train name, date of journey, and PNR (Passenger Name Record) number. 

Initiate Cancellation: Next to the booking details, you should find an option to "Cancel" or "View/Cancel." Click on this option. 

Select the Passengers: If you have multiple passengers in the booking, the system will typically ask you to select the passengers you want to cancel. Choose the passengers for whom you want to cancel the Vikalp booking. 

Cancellation Confirmation: After selecting the passengers, the system will provide you with the cancellation details, including any refund amount, if applicable. Confirm the cancellation. 

Cancellation Acknowledgment: After successfully canceling the opted Vikalp booking, you should receive an acknowledgment of the cancellation on the website. You may also expect to receive a confirmation email or SMS. 

 Important Terms and conditions 

 Here are additional important points to consider when opting for the Vikalp scheme: 

• Opting Vikalp option does not assure a confirmed berth in an alternate train. It is subject to availability of both trains and berths. 
•  Passengers can opt for a maximum of seven (7) trains for the Vikalp scheme, providing them with a range of alternative options. 
• Train choices selected under the Vikalp scheme can be updated only once. 
• Once a passenger successfully opts for the Vikalp scheme, the choice cannot be changed. 
• Vikalp opted passengers who booked while on the waiting list and remain fully waitlisted after charting will be considered for allotment in the alternate train. 
• Under Vikalp, your boarding and terminating stations may change to nearby cluster stations for your convenience. Option Availability Before Charting:The option to avail of the Vikalp scheme is available even after the initial booking stage. Passengers can choose Vikalp through the "booked ticket history" link before charting. For counter tickets one can open Rail connect app or web page and should select ticket through counter option to avail vikalp scheme. 
• Fully Waitlisted Consideration.
• PNR Status Check: Passengers who are fully waitlisted and have opted for Vikalp should check their PNR status after charting to confirm their allocation status. 
• Separate List: Passengers who have been provided alternate accommodation will not appear on the waitlisted charts of their original train. A separate list of transferred passengers will be posted alongside confirmed and waitlisted charts. 
• Travel on Original ERS/SMS: Passengers allotted alternate accommodation can travel in the alternate train using the authority of their original ERS (Electronic Reservation Slip) or SMS. Restrictions on Original Train: Passengers with alternate accommodation are not allowed to board their original train, even if they were initially on the waiting list. 
• Eligibility for Upgradation: Passengers with alternate accommodation are treated as normal passengers in the alternate train and are eligible for upgradation. 
•  Last-Minute Changes: In rare situations, passengers with alternate accommodation may be dropped or re-allotted due to last-minute changes in the alternate train's composition. Checking PNR status after chart preparation is advisable. 
• Information regarding Vikalp will be available through the Call Centre (139), PRS Enquiry Counters, Passenger Operated Enquiry Terminals at stations, and the web enquiry on www.indianrail.gov.in. Cancellation Rules Apply: If a Vikalp opted passenger opts to cancel after being given alternate accommodation, they will be treated as confirmed passengers, and the regular cancellation rules will apply. 
• No Refund for Fare Differences: Passengers re-allocated to an alternate train will not receive a refund for the fare difference between the original train and the alternate train, including Tatkal charges. 
• TDR for Non-Performed Journeys: Passengers who have been allotted alternate accommodation but did not perform their journey in the alternate train can claim refunds by filing a TDR (Ticket Deposit Receipt) request. 

 FAQs 

 Q. Is there an additional charge for using Vikalp? 

 A.No, there are no extra charges for utilising Vikalp. 

 Q. Can I choose any alternative train I want? 

 A. IRCTC will automatically consider alternative trains based on route and opted preference. Passengers can accept or reject the offered alternative. 

 Q.How will I know if I've been allotted an alternative train? 

 A.IRCTC will notify you through SMS or email if you've been allotted an alternative train. 

 Q.What if I don't want the alternative train? Can I cancel my booking? 

 A.Yes, you can choose to stick with your original booking if you don't want the alternative train. There's no obligation to switch. 

 Q. Is Vikalp available for all train routes? 

 A.Vikalp is available for most train routes. However, availability may vary, especially on less-traveled routes.