act 024 of 1989 : Authorisation of Rail Travellers' Service Agents Rules, 2014

Section 1. Short title and commencement

(1) These rules may be called the Authorisation of Rail Travellers' Service Agents Rules, 2014.

(2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.

Section 2. Definitions

In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires,

(a) agent means a person authorized under Rule 5 to act as a rail travellers' service agent to book reserved rail tickets through internet and shall include an employee of such person;

(b) competent authority means the Group General Manager (Internet Ticketing) of the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited or any other officer authorized by such Group General Manager (Internet Ticketing) to discharge his functions under these rules;

(c) Form means a Form annexed to these rules;

(d) licence means a licence issued under Rule 5;

(e) location means the area for which the agent has been appointed for booking of reserved rail tickets through internet.

Section 3. Conditions for appointment of agent

(1) A person who is

(i) in possession of the latest income tax return and a valid Permanent Account Number card;

(ii) having properly maintained office premises with internet facility and infrastructure along with basic convenience and amenities in the city so as to accommodate the visit of customers;

(iii) not convicted in a criminal case involving moral turpitude;

(iv) in possession of a class three personal digital certificate issued by any Certification Agency appointed by the Controller of Certification Agencies under the Information Technology Act, 2000 (21 of 2000) for its authorized user (only one authorised user shall be permitted),

may apply for issue of a licence under Rule 5 to act as an agent.

(2) The applicant shall apply through online application available on the website of the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited along with a onetime fee of twenty thousand rupees and the service tax, as applicable from time to time.

(3) If an applicant fails to deposit the fee along with application under sub-rule (2), his or her application shall be rejected.

(4) Subject to the provisions of Rule 9, an agent who voluntarily decides to discontinue to act as an agent shall be refunded an amount of ten thousand rupees without interest, out of the amount of twenty thousand rupees referred to in sub-rule (2).

(5) The number of agents for each location shall be such, as may be determined by the competent authority.

Section 4. Existing agents to apply for fresh licence

2[(1) A person who was in possession of a licence to act as an agent under the Authorisation of Rail Travellers' Service Agents Rules, 1985, prior to the coming into force of these rules shall make an application under these rules for grant of licence to him to act as an agent on or before the 30th day of June, 2016.]

(2) The application referred to in sub-rule (1) shall, in addition to the requirements of Rule 3, be also accompanied by a certificate issued by the concerned Zonal Railway to the effect that the applicant is an existing agent who was granted a licence under the Authorisation of Rail Travellers' Service Agents Rules, 1985, before the commencement of these rules:

Provided that the licence fee paid by the existing agent shall be adjusted towards the fee required to be paid under sub-rule (2) of Rule 3.

Section 5. Issue of licence

(1) An application for issue of a licence to act as an agent shall be made to the competent authority in Form I and for providing online integration.

(2) On receipt of the application, the competent authority after making such inquiry, if any, as it considers necessary, may issue the licence in Form II after execution of an agreement in Form III, authorizing the applicant to act as an agent, or refuse to issue the licence for the reasons to be recorded in writing.

Section 6. Conditions for issue of licence

(1) The issue of licence under Rule 5, shall be subject to the following conditions, namely

(i) the licence shall be valid for a period of 3[three years] from the date of its issue;

(ii) the licence shall be non-transferrable:

Provided that in case of death of an agent, the licence may be transferred to his or her legal heir on a request made in writing, for the unexpired period of licence, by the competent authority and the legal heir shall be eligible to apply for renewal of the said licence in accordance with the provisions of Rule 8;

(iii) the agent shall conduct the business either himself or herself or through his or her employee 4[* * *];

(iv) the agent shall not charge more than 5[forty rupees] per ticket as service charges for securing reservation in classes other than second and sleeper classes, and 6[twenty rupees] per ticket for the second and sleeper classes;

(v) the licence and the service charges shall be displayed by the agent at a conspicuous place of business;

(vi) the agent shall feed mobile number of the passenger while booking the ticket and the system will send a message indicating the detailed particulars of the ticket and the amount charged and in case the passenger does not have mobile number, a printout of approved Electronic Reservation Slip shall be taken out by such agent and handed over to the passenger;

(vii) the booking of ticket and securing of reservation by the agent shall be on a written request from his or her client and in case the agent acts on a telephone call, a written request shall be obtained by him or her from the client before delivering the Electronic Reservation Slip to the client;

(viii) a register indicating the name, gender, age, address and journey particulars together with ticket number of the client shall be maintained by the agent;

(ix) there shall be no canvassing for booking and reservation by the agent or any person on his or her behalf within the railway premises and within a distance of hundred metres from the railway reservation office and the agent or any person on his or her behalf shall not book tickets at Railway reservation counters for their customers;

(x) the competent authority or an officer authorized by him or her shall be allowed access to the premises and records, any time during the working hours by the agent who shall render all necessary assistance for inspection; and

(xi) the competent authority shall specify the general working conditions within the framework of these rules.

7[(xii) the agent shall be entitled to book i-ticket and collect the same through the Information Technology Centre of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation, New Delhi.]

(2) The agent shall opt for one of the options for online payment available on the website of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited.

Section 7. Suspension or cancellation of the licence

(1) Without prejudice to any other provisions under these rules, the competent authority may suspend or cancel at any time the licence after giving due notice for violation of or for ceasing to fulfil any of the conditions specified under these rules or for any such reasons which appear to the competent authority as expedient in the public interest, and in case of suspension of licence, the login identity of the agent shall be deactivated:

Provided that no action under this rule shall be taken unless an opportunity of being heard is given to the agent.

(2) Any contravention of these rules shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees for each contravention, and in addition, the agent may be blacklisted and shall be liable for punishment under the provisions of the Railways Act, 1989 (24 of 1989).

Section 8. Renewal of licence

8[A licence shall, unless the competent authority, for reasons to be recorded in writing, otherwise decides, be renewable for a period of three years on payment of 9[* * *] renewal fee of ten thousand rupees and the service tax as applicable, and the provisions of Rule 5 shall apply to the renewal of licence also, as they apply to issue of licence.]

Section 9. Utilisation of deposit

Where the agent fails to perform the service for his or her client and refuses to refund the amount charged by him or her, the competent authority shall in addition to any other action taken under these rules, utilise the amount of ten thousand rupees referred to in sub-rule (4) of Rule 3 for refund of the amount charged by the agent from his or her clients.

Section 10. Appeal

(1) An appeal shall lie against every order of the competent authority made under these rules to the Managing Director of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited.

(2) The appeal under sub-rule (1) shall be preferred within a period of thirty days from the date on which the order appealed against is communicated to the appellant.

Section 11. Liability of Railways

The Railway administration or Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited shall not be liable for any loss or damage suffered or likely to be suffered by a client on account of any act or omission of the agent.

Railway Board

Form I

[See Rule 5(1)]

Application to be filled by agents for issue of licence throughwww.irctc.co.in

[To be submitted in Hard Copy and Soft Copy]

*Mandatory

Individual/Firm/Company Name*
	Person Representing Firm/Company
First Name*
Middle Name
Last Name*
Date of Birth*
Office Address*
City*
State*
Pincode*
Country*
Phone Number*
Mobile Number*
Fax Number
Email Id*
Contract Begin Date*
Contract End Date*
Demand Draft No.
Date of issue
Drawn on the Bank
User Name as in the Digital Certificate*
Certification Authority Name*
Digital Certificate Serial Number*

Date:

Place:

Signature of the Applicant/

person representing Firm Company

Form II

[See Rule 5(2)]

Licence to act as Rail Travellers' Service Agent (RTSA)

No .	Date of Issue
This is to certify that Mr./Ms./M/s .. , owned by located at .. .., Contact No. ., e-mail: , is hereby authorized to act as Rail Travellers' Service Agent (RTSA) under the Authorisation of Rail Travelers' Service Agents Rules, 2014 to book reserved rail tickets through internet as per IRCTC terms and conditions using ..through IRCTC website IRCTC website www.irctc.co.in for the general public from to
For Group General Manager/IT IRCTC

Form III

[See Rule 5(2)]

Signed photo of RTSA or authorised signatory of RTSA along with name of Signatory

Agreement to be signed by the Rail Travellers' Service Agent (RTSA) or his or her authorized signatory (specifying his or her status or authority for signing the agreement) on stamp paper of Rs 100 purchased from Delhi.

An agreement made this . day of .., 20 .. at New Delhi between the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC), having its registered office at 9th Floor, Bank of Baroda Building, 16, Parliament Street, New Delhi-110 001 and one of its office at Internet Ticketing Center, State Entry Road, New Delhi-110 055 through Group General Manager/Internet Ticketing, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (hereinafter called the first party) which expression shall where the context so admits include its successor and assigns.

And

Mr./Ms./M/s . . through .. (name and designation) office . (hereinafter called the second party) which term shall mean and include their successor, legal representatives and assigns.

In consideration of IRCTC, granting the licence for booking of reserved rail tickets through IRCTC website, for a period of one year commencing from to , this agreement is made.

The second party . agrees to function as rail travellers' service agent (RTSA) in accordance with the following terms and conditions

1.	Governing provisions
	The IRCTC shall provide the facility for transacting with Indian Railway's computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) through the internet. The instructions and guidelines of the Indian Railways for reservation and booking of tickets shall apply to all such transactions along with special conditions imposed for internet based booking from time to time. The special conditions and the terms of service applicable to internet booking are detailed in this agreement.
	1.1	IRCTC's performance of this agreement is subject to the laws for the time being in force, and nothing contained in this agreement is in derogation of IRCTC's right to comply with law enforcement requests, or requirements relating to use of this website by RTSA or information provided to by RTSA or gathered by IRCTC with respect to such use including the customers. IRCTC may provide details of use of the website by RTSA to regulators or police or to any other third party, or in order to resolve disputes or complaints.
	1.2	If any part of the agreement between IRCTC and RTSA is determined to be invalid or unenforceable pursuant to any law for the time being in force including, but not limited to, the warranty disclaimers and liability limitations set forth herein, then the invalid or unenforceable provision shall be deemed superseded and the remainder of the agreement shall continue in effect.
	1.3	This agreement constitutes the entire agreement between RTSA and IRCTC and it supersedes all previous or contemporaneous communications and proposals, whether electronic, oral, or written, between the RTSA and IRCTC.
	1.4	That terms and conditions of service applicable on booking of tickets through IRCTC website apply mutatis mutandis on the tickets booked by RTSA's log-in.
	1.5	The RTSA shall comply with the terms and conditions for using IRCTC's website for booking tickets. RTSA shall pay a onetime fee of twenty thousand rupees to IRCTC, out of which ten thousand rupees shall be refundable if RTSA voluntarily withdraws from the arrangement with IRCTC. Annual renewal charges for the licence shall be five thousand rupees.
2.	Standard and scope of service: IRCTC will supply the service to RTSA with reasonable care and skill subject to all other risks or error and liability, limitation clauses would remain effective.
	2.1	IRCTC makes no guarantee that any service will be uninterrupted, timely, secure or error free.
3.	The RTSA shall be required to obtain a class three personal digital certificate issued by any Indian Certifying Authority for its authorised users (only one authorised user shall be permitted).
	3.1	When the RTSA logs in, the IRCTC application will authenticate the digital certificate, and if authorised, will allow him or her to book without applying any restriction on number of tickets as applicable to normal users.
4.	Obligations of RTSA and their customers
	4.1	General obligations: RTSA shall access the website only for lawful purposes and shall be responsible for complying with the laws for the time being in force in connection with the use of IRCTC website. RTSA shall not modify, copy, distribute, transmit, display, perform, reproduce, publish, license, create derivative works form, transfer or sell any information, products or services obtained from this website. RTSA shall not create a hypertext to the website or frame the website, except with the prior written permission of IRCTC.
	4.2	The information RTSA provides in the registration page must be complete and accurate. IRCTC reserves the right at all times to disclose any information as IRCTC deemed necessary to comply with any law for the time being in force, legal process, or Government request.
	4.3	The RTSA will book the tickets as per the normal flow, and will give the shipping address desired by the end customer (one of the passenger on the ticket) in case of i-ticket or the identity card details of any traveller in case of tatkal e-ticket . i-ticket will be delivered to the delivery address desired by the customer and given by the RTSA while booking of the ticket. RTSA shall issue receipt for money taken by him from the customer on his own printed stationery. Service charge and service tax as applicable shall be shown separately in the receipt issued by the RTSA. This receipt shall be preserved by the customer to claim refund from RTSA, if it becomes necessary.
		Once the tickets have been delivered at the shipping address given by RTSA, the IRCTC shall be absolved of any responsibility. If the address is wrong or incomplete or for any other reason, the ticket does not reach the end consumer, it shall be the responsibility of RTSA.
	4.4	It shall be obligatory on the part of RTSA to impose similar procedure, terms and conditions on all its customers, as IRCTC follows with its customers, on its website, except that there shall be no restriction on number of tickets booked by RTSA as applicable to normal users.
	4.5	Payment by RTSA to IRCTC for booking tickets online will be made online, using available options on the website of IRCTC like Credit Card, Direct Debit using Internet Banking, Cash Card, etc.
	4.6	If the RTSA indulges in any illegal activity like (but not restricted to) collection of excess charges, alteration of fares on the tickets, issue of duplicate ticket etc., then the RTSA shall be liable for penal action under Rule 7 of the Authorisation of Rail Travellers' Service Agents Rules, 2014 in addition to action under any other law for the time being in force.
	4.7	Disclaimer: Indian Railway and IRCTC are not responsible for wrong booking due to incorrect detail or details furnished by the RTSA.
5	Cancellation or refund or modification of tickets
	5.1	For i-tickets cancelled by the customers through the counters, the amount due will be credited back to the account used for online booking. The RTSA will be responsible for refund to the customers. The cancellation ticket issued to the customers from counters shall be used to claim refund from RTSA. For non-compliance in this regard, RTSA's licence may be cancelled.
	5.2	For cases where the i-tickets were surrendered by customers at stations after the cancellation timings and Ticket Deposit Receipt (TDR) obtained, the customers will have to apply for refund to IRCTC along with TDR. IRCTC in turn will take up the matter with the concerned Zonal Railways.
	5.3	The RTSA is duty bound to refund the amount due to the customer who booked the ticket after making payment to RTSA and later got it cancelled.
	5.4	If RTSA fails to refund the amount due to the customer, his or her licence may be cancelled. This shall be without prejudice to any other action to which RTSA shall be liable under any law for the time being in force.
6	Privity of contract: RTSA will book tickets for its customers with IRCTC with clear understanding that:
	6.1	There is no privity of contract of IRCTC or Indian Railways with the customer of RTSA in the matter of booking, cancellation or in relation to any payment or refund for any booking of the tickets.
	6.2	The customer of RTSA will make all its claims of whatever nature only against RTSA and not against IRCTC or Railways.
	6.3	There will be no additional or exceptional liability of IRCTC or Indian Railways in respect of tickets booked by RTSA except the normal refund due on cancellation of tickets.
7.	Liability
	7.1	Limitation of liability: IRCTC shall not be liable to RTSA save as expressly provided in this agreement and shall have no other obligations, duties or liabilities whatsoever in contract, tort or otherwise arising out of the use of online booking or connection to the website. IRCTC hereby disclaims all warranties, terms and conditions with regard to this information, products and services including all implied warranties, terms and conditions under any law for the time being in force, collaterally or otherwise of satisfactory quality or fitness, title and in no event, shall IRCTC be liable for any loss of profit, loss of revenue, wasted time, wasted costs, indirect, incidental, special or consequential loss arising out of or in any way connected with the use of the online booking facility through website or otherwise or with the delay or inability to use online booking facility of IRCTC or for any information, products and services whether based on contract, tort, strict liability or otherwise.
	7.2	Accuracy of information: IRCTC shall make endeavours to check the accuracy of the information published online or through website of IRCTC. IRCTC gives no warranty as to the accuracy of such information given on its website and reserves the right to amend and vary the contents of their website from time to time without notice. The IRCTC sites or services may contain links to third party websites (linked sites). The linked sites are not under the control of IRCTC and IRCTC is not responsible for the contents of any linked sites, including without limitation any link contained in a linked site, or any changes or updates to a linked site. IRCTC is not responsible for web casting or any other form of transmission received from any linked site nor is IRCTC responsible if the linked site is not working appropriately. IRCTC is providing these links only as a convenience, and the inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement by IRCTC of the site or any association with its operators. RTSA are responsible for viewing and abiding by the privacy statements and terms of use posted at the linked sites.
	7.3	Any transaction of the RTSA with third parties including advertisers on the website of IRCTC participation in promotions, including the delivery of and the payment for advertised products and services, and any other terms, conditions, warranties or representations associated with such dealings or promotions, shall be exclusively between RTSA and advertiser or other third party. IRCTC shall not be responsible or liable for any such dealings or promotions.
	7.4	Maximum liability: The maximum amount of IRCTC liability to RTSA for all loss or damage arising out of online booking through website and the service whether in contract or tort (including any liability for negligence howsoever arising out of or in connection with the performance of IRCTC's obligations in the provision of the website and this service) shall be limited to the value of the ticket purchased through use of this service.
	7.5	Exclusion of liability: IRCTC shall not be liable to RTSA for any of the following types of loss or damage arising out of use of website and the service whether in contract or tort (including any liability for negligence howsoever arising out of or in connection with the performance of IRCTC obligations in the provision of the website and this service)
		(1) Loss of revenue, business, anticipated savings or profits; or
		(2) Any indirect or consequential loss howsoever arising.
	7.6	Exclusion of other warranties or remedies: RTSA acknowledges and agrees that in entering into this agreement, he or she does not rely on and shall have no remedy in respect of any statement, representation or warranty given by any person (including as to condition, quality and fitness). All warranties implied by any law for the time being in force, custom or otherwise as to the standard of the service and the accuracy of any information (other than fraudulent misrepresentation) provided on IRCTC website are hereby excluded.
	7.7	Force majeure: IRCTC shall not be liable in respect of any delay in performance of these terms and conditions or delay in performance or breach of these terms and conditions due to any event or circumstance beyond the control of IRCTC.
8	Service hours: Booking through internet is allowed from 0030 hours to 2330 hours (Indian Standard Time) on all days including Sundays. Service hours are liable to be changed without prior notice. Agent booking hours are as per the orders of the Ministry of Railways.
	8.1	Opening day ($) booking ( .days in advance, excluding the date of journey) will be available only at . hours on internet as well as at the computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters. If RTSA tries booking before . hours, for opening day tickets, the reservation will fail, with RTSA's account getting debited; IRCTC will refund the entire fare and IRCTC's service charges, but the bank or card transaction charges may be charged by the concerned bank.
	8.2	Opening day ($) means .. days in advance of the date of journey (journey date not to be included) from train originating station. In case of some intercity day trains, the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) is less than . days. For Tatkal booking, opening day means .. day from date of journey subject to restriction, if any, imposed by the Ministry of Railways from time to time.
9	General Provisions
	9.1	This agreement and RTSA's use of the online booking though IRCTCs website shall be governed by the laws for the time being in force. The RTSA hereby irrevocably consents to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of courts in Delhi only, in all disputes arising out of or relating to the use of the IRCTC sites or services. Use of the IRCTC sites or services is unauthorized in any jurisdiction that does not give effect to all provisions of these terms and conditions.
	9.2	Entire agreement: This agreement including any document referred to herein constitutes the entire agreement between the parties to this agreement in respect of RTSA's use of this service.
	9.3	Third party rights: Nothing in this agreement shall be taken as granting any rights expressly or impliedly whether contractual or statutory to persons other than the parties to this agreement.
	9.4	No claim shall be preferred by RTSA in any court or tribunal without giving sixty days notice in the nature of Section 80 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), to the IRCTC.
	9.5	In case of any dispute, it shall be compulsory for the RTSA to first submit to the arbitration of a sole arbitrator not below the rank of General Manager of IRCTC to be nominated by Managing Director of IRCTC after a request is made in writing by the RTSA or IRCTC. The decision of the arbitrator shall be binding on both the parties. The language of the arbitration shall be English and the venue of arbitration shall be Delhi only.
	9.6	If any customer of RTSA institutes any proceedings against IRCTC shall be liable to make good all the loss occurring to IRCTC including the cost of defending the proceedings.
	9.7	On expiry of the licence of RTSA, the access provided to RTSA shall be deactivated by IRCTC unless the licence is renewed by IRCTC.
	9.8	Below is the table of the maximum charges to be levied on a customer for each ticket. These charges are as fixed by Indian Railways and are liable to change without notice at any point of time.

Table

IRCTC service charge		Agents service charge (Inclusive of service tax)		Total (IRCTC + Agents)
Second and sleeper classes	Other than second and sleeper classes	Second and sleeper classes	Other than second and sleeper classes	Second and sleeper classes	Other than second and sleeper classes
Rs 10	Rs 20	Rs 10	Rs 20	Rs 20	Rs 40

The above charges are inclusive of service tax. Service tax as applicable shall be shown separately in the receipt issued by the RTSA.

10.

Exclusion of liability for cancellation of trains. In case of cancellation or diversion or termination short of destination of trains, the rules made under the Railways Act, 1989 (24 of 1989) containing limitations and exclusions relating to the liability of the Indian Railways to the customers in respect of loss or damage caused by delay or diversion or termination short of destination or cancellation or both of any train, any missed connection, or closure of the railway shall apply.

The IRCTC provides only the facility of interacting with the Indian Railway's computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) through the internet. The IRCTC is not responsible for providing train services or any other service through this site.

11.

In witness whereof, the said parties hereto have set their hands at the place and on the dates respectively shown hereinafter.

RTSA/Authorised signatory of RTSA	GGM/IT IRCTC, Delhi
Note: Signature of the RTSA/Authorised signatory of RTSA and the stamp/seal on each page of agreement is essential.

1. Ministry of Railways (Railway Board), Noti. No. S.O. 1219(E), dated 7 May, 2014, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Part II, Section 3(ii), dated 7th May, 2014, pp. 11-17, No. 1011.

2. Subs. by S.O. 1426(E), dt. 13-4-2016 (w.e.f. 13-4-2016). Prior to substitution it read as: (1) A person who is in possession of a licence to act as an agent under the Authorisation of Rail Travellers' Service Agents Rules, 1985, as amended from time to time, shall apply for grant of a fresh licence within a period of seven working days from the coming into force of these rules. .

3. Subs. for one year by S.O. 1426(E), dt. 13-4-2016 (w.e.f. 13-4-2016).

4. The words approved by the competent authority for this purpose omitted by S.O. 1426(E), dt. 13-4-2016 (w.e.f. 13-4-2016).

5. Subs. for twenty rupees by S.O. 1426(E), dt. 13-4-2016 (w.e.f. 13-4-2016).

6. Subs. for ten rupees by S.O. 1426(E), dt. 13-4-2016 (w.e.f. 13-4-2016).

7. Ins. by S.O. 1426(E), dt. 13-4-2016 (w.e.f. 13-4-2016).

8. Subs. by S.O. 1426(E), dt. 13-4-2016 (w.e.f. 13-4-2016). Prior to substitution it read as: 8. Renewal of licence. A licence shall, unless the competent authority for reasons to be recorded in writing otherwise decides, be renewable for one year at a time on payment of annual renewal fee of five thousand rupees and the service tax as applicable and the provisions of Rule 5 shall apply to the renewal of licence as they apply to the grant thereof. .

9. The word annual omitted by S.O. 4055(E), dt. 15-12-2016 (w.r.e.f. 13-4-2016).