Information on Retiring Rooms in Railway Stations

Retiring rooms are accommodation facilities provided by the Indian Railways for the convenience of passengers. These facilities are situated inside the station premises.

Advantages of Booking Retiring Rooms

- No need to search for hotels
- Avoid hassle of carrying luggage
- No wastage of time
- Save money
- Experience better security and convenience

Important Information regarding Retiring Rooms

1. Retiring rooms can be booked for a period of 12-48 hours.
2. Booking is done only for those passengers who possess a valid and confirmed ticket.
3. No booking can be made for holders of waitlisted tickets.
4. Booking can be made from 00:30 hrs to 23:30 hrs.
5. For more information, call 1800-0110-139 after booking a room.

How to book Retiring Room online?

You can now easily book a retiring room from the convenience of your home. The steps involved are given below or click here for a more detailed help in the process of online booking of retiring room.
1. Log on to www.irctc.co.in. Click on Hotels and then on Retiring Rooms.
2. Enter your PNR number and click on Search. Details of your journey will be displayed.
3. If you want to book Retiring Room at source/originating station then click on 'Book on source' or if you want to book Retiring Room at destination station then click on 'Book on destination'.
4. Follow the steps in order to complete the booking of your retiring room.

Disclaimer: This site is not affiliated or authorized by the Indian Railways in any manner. Information about railways is fast changing. Please verify from the official website.

New Cancellation Charges of Indian Railways

The Indian Railways have recently revised the refund rules and cancellation charges for both reserved and unreserved tickets. These rules are effective w.e.f. 12.11.2015.

Levy of clerkage per passenger for cancellation of unreserved, RAC and waitlisted tickets

(i) Unreserved (second class): Rs. 30/-
(ii) Second class (reserved) and other classes: Rs. 60/-

Cancellation charge per passenger on confirmed (reserved) tickets

(i) 48 hours before the scheduled departure of the train minimum cancellation charge
1st AC/executive class: Rs. 240/-
2 AC/1st Class: Rs. 200/-
3AC/ACC/3A economy: Rs. 180/-
Second sleeper class: Rs. 120/-
Second class: Rs. 60/-
(ii) Between 48 hours and 12 hours before the scheduled departure of the train
25% subject to minimum cancellation charge as per (i) above
(iii) Between 12 hours and 4 hours before the scheduled departure of the train
50% subject to minimum cancellation charge as per (i) above
(iv) No refund after the above prescribed time limit

Refund on partially confirmed tickets

Upto half an hour before the scheduled departure of the train.

Refund on unused RAC/Waitlisted tickets

Upto half an hour before the scheduled departure of the train subject to deduction of clerkage charges. No refund after the above prescribed time limit.

Disclaimer: This site is not affiliated or authorized by the Indian Railways in any manner. Information about railways is fast changing. Please verify from the official website.

Frequently Asked Questions regarding Passport in India - Part 1

Why do I need a Passport?

Passport is required to travel to foreign countries. Without a valid passport, an Indian Citizen is not allowed to visit other countries. A passport is also treated as a valid address proof and identity proof across India.

How do I apply for a Passport?

You can apply for Passport online. First, you need to visit http://passportindia.gov.in and sign up. Then you can book an appointment at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK). On the day of appointment, visit the PSK with supporting documents and complete the required steps necessary for obtaining a passport. There will be police verification after which you will receive the passport at the specified communication address by mail.

What is Police Verification?

Since Passport is a very much valuable document and in order to ensure that it does not go in wrong hands, police verification is required for issuance of passport. When you apply for a passport, the police may come to your home to verify whether you reside at the address mentioned.

What are the various types of Passport issued in India?

1. Ordinary Passport: An ordinary passport has blue cover, and consists of 36 or 60 pages. It is valid for 10 years from the date of issue and can be renewed for another 10 years. An Indian citizen can use this passport for ordinary vacation or business travel.
2. Diplomatic Passport: Has maroon cover ; Issued to designated members of the national government, judiciary , statutory authorities, diplomats, official public couriers and any other person specifically authorised by the Govt
3. Official Passport: Has grey cover ; Issued to designated Non-gazetted govt servants or any other person specifically authorised by the Govt deputed abroad on government business.

I have lost my passport while travelling in a foreign country. What should I do?

If you have lost your passport during travelling, then you can come to India on the basis of "Emergency Certificate". For the issuance of "Emergency Certificate", you need to contact the respective mission/post of that country.

How to Apply Online for Passport in India

All Indian citizens who depart or intend to depart from India are required to be in possession of a valid passport or travel document. Under the Passports Act 1967, the Government of India may issue different types of passports and travel documents such as Ordinary Passport, Diplomatic Passport, Official Passport, Emergency Certificate and Certificate of Identity for the purpose. Passport is accepted all over India both as an address proof and identity proof. In India, you can apply for passport online which saves both time and hassle. The complete passport application process is described below.

1. Visit the Passport Seva website

Log on to passportindia.gov.in. Register as a new user or login if you're an existing user. Fill up the form and apply online. Upload supporting documents and pay the application fee via Credit/Debit Card (MasterCard and Visa), Internet Banking (State Bank of India (SBI) and Associate Banks only) or SBI Bank Challan.

2. Get appointment at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra

Once you submit the application for passport and pay the required fees, you will get an appointment to visit your nearest Passport Seva Kendra within 15 days.

3. Visit the nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)

Go to your nearest regional Passport Seva Kendra with the requisite original documents and their photocopies. Officials at the PSK will verify your documents and take decision about granting of passport. Your photograph and biometrics will also be obtained.

4. Verification by Police

The next step in the process of getting a passport is police verification. Once the verification is successfully completed, you're almost near receiving your passport.

5. Receive your passport by mail

You will receive your passport by mail at the specified communication address within 10 days. The time required for each step is much less and the process is faster in case of Tatkal application.