How to Book a Half Ticket for Children in Indian Railways on IRCTC

Overview of IRCTC: Brief background on IRCTC as the digital arm of Indian Railways for ticketing, catering, and tourism services.

Importance of Booking Child Tickets: Explain the convenience of booking half tickets for children, including benefits and common scenarios where parents or guardians may need to book.

2. Understanding Half Ticket Rules for Children in Indian Railways

Definition of a Half Ticket: Explain what qualifies as a half ticket and who is eligible.

Eligibility Criteria:

Children under 5 years: Can travel free but without a reserved seat.

Children between 5 and 12 years: Require a half ticket if the guardian wants a reserved seat for them.

Over 12 years: Require a full adult ticket.

Benefits of Half Tickets: Describe cost savings, access to seating, and travel flexibility for families.

3. Types of Half Tickets in IRCTC

Reserved Half Ticket: For a child who needs a specific seat or berth.

Unreserved Half Ticket: For shorter journeys or for children traveling without a reserved berth.

Sleeper and AC Classes: How the rules apply across different classes (Sleeper, 3AC, 2AC, etc.).

4. Step-by-Step Guide: Booking a Child Half Ticket on IRCTC Website

Step 1: Accessing the IRCTC Website:

Go to IRCTC website and log in.

Step 2: Initiating the Booking:

Select the “Plan My Journey” section.

Choose the departure and destination stations, travel date, and class.

Step 3: Selecting Passenger Details:

Add passengers and indicate the child’s age in the passenger details form.

Step 4: Selecting Half Ticket Option:

Specify age (5–12) for automatic half-ticket fare.

Verify the ticket type (reserved or unreserved) as per your preference.

Step 5: Payment Process:

Choose a payment method and proceed to pay.

Step 6: Confirming and Downloading E-Ticket:

Upon successful payment, download or print the e-ticket.

5. Booking a Child Half Ticket on the IRCTC Mobile App

Overview of IRCTC App: Available for Android and iOS; quick booking process.

Detailed Steps for Booking on the App: Similar to the website steps, but optimized for mobile users.

6. Booking Child Half Ticket Offline

Visiting a Railway Reservation Counter:

Procedure for filling out the booking form at a counter.

Mentioning the child’s age and requesting a half ticket.

7. Cost of Half Tickets in Different Classes

Breakdown by Class (Sleeper, AC Classes, General): Percentage-based fare details for children aged 5-12 years.

IRCTC Charges and Additional Fees: Any additional charges that might apply to half tickets.

8. Common Issues and Troubleshooting Tips

Age-Based Fare Calculation Issues: Solutions for cases where the child’s fare doesn’t reflect as half fare.

Booking Errors or Website Glitches: Tips on resolving these issues or contacting IRCTC support.

9. FAQs on Half Ticket Booking for Children

Q1: Can I change a child’s ticket from full fare to half fare after booking?

Q2: What if my child turns 12 during the journey?

Q3: Is a half ticket refundable if plans change?

 

Summarize the benefits of booking half tickets for children.

Encourage users to utilize IRCTC for convenience and cost savings.