What Is the IRCTC VIKALP Scheme? How to Get an Alternate Confirmed Train Ticket When Waitlisted

What Is the IRCTC VIKALP Scheme? How to Get an Alternate Confirmed Train Ticket When Waitlisted

Getting a waitlisted train ticket can be frustrating, especially when you have an important journey coming up. You may keep checking your PNR Status Check to see whether your ticket has moved from WL to RAC or confirmed.

But did you know that IRCTC has a scheme that can give eligible waitlisted passengers a chance to travel on another train?

It is called the VIKALP Scheme. Under this scheme, passengers with eligible waitlisted tickets can opt for an alternate train if seats are available. The alternate train may help you get a confirmed seat instead of waiting for your original train ticket to confirm.

However, VIKALP does not guarantee a confirmed ticket. The alternate train and seat allocation depend on availability and railway rules.

Let’s understand how the VIKALP scheme works, who can use it, how to select an alternate train, and what happens after chart preparation.

What Is the IRCTC VIKALP Scheme?

VIKALP is an alternate train accommodation scheme offered by Indian Railways through IRCTC.

The main purpose of the scheme is to provide an alternative travel option to passengers whose original tickets remain waitlisted.

When booking a train ticket, you may sometimes get a WL status because all available seats in your selected train are already booked. Instead of simply waiting for the original ticket to confirm, you can opt for VIKALP and select alternate trains where available.

If accommodation becomes available in one of the selected alternate trains, IRCTC may shift your booking to that train.

The important thing to remember is that VIKALP is not a guaranteed confirmation scheme. It only gives you another opportunity to get accommodation on an alternate train.

How Does the VIKALP Scheme Work?

The process is fairly simple.

Suppose you want to travel from Ahmedabad to Delhi, but your preferred train is already full. You book the ticket and receive a waitlisted status.

During the booking process, you may get the option to choose the VIKALP scheme. If you opt for it, you can select eligible alternate trains according to the options shown by IRCTC.

If your original ticket remains waitlisted and accommodation becomes available in an alternate train, IRCTC may provide you accommodation on that train.

In other words, instead of waiting only for your original train, you are giving the railway system permission to consider another train for your journey.

Who Can Use the VIKALP Scheme?

The scheme is mainly intended for passengers whose tickets remain waitlisted after booking.

However, not every ticket or train is necessarily eligible for VIKALP. The availability of the scheme depends on the trains, routes, classes and other conditions defined by Indian Railways.

Passengers should therefore check whether the VIKALP option is available for their particular booking.

How to Opt for VIKALP While Booking a Ticket?

If the VIKALP option is available for your booking, you can select it during the ticket booking process.

Step 1: Search for Your Train

Enter your journey details on IRCTC, including the source station, destination station and journey date.

Step 2: Select Your Preferred Train

Choose the train you want to travel on and enter the passenger details.

Step 3: Look for the VIKALP Option

If your booking is eligible, IRCTC will show the option to opt for alternate train accommodation.

Step 4: Select Alternate Trains

You can select alternate trains from the options provided by IRCTC. Choose the trains that work for your travel plans.

Step 5: Complete the Booking

Complete your payment and booking as usual.

Once the ticket is booked, you can check the PNR regularly to see how your booking status changes.

How Many Alternate Trains Can You Select?

The number of alternate trains you can select depends on the options provided by IRCTC for your particular journey.

IRCTC may show several eligible trains from which you can choose. You should select only those trains that you are comfortable travelling on because you may be shifted to one of the selected alternate trains if accommodation becomes available.

Before selecting the alternate trains, check their departure time, arrival time and route carefully.

Does VIKALP Guarantee a Confirmed Ticket?

No. This is one of the most important things to understand about VIKALP.

Choosing VIKALP does not guarantee that your waitlisted ticket will become confirmed.

The alternate accommodation depends on the availability of seats or berths in the eligible alternate trains. If there is no suitable accommodation available, your ticket may remain waitlisted.

So, think of VIKALP as an additional opportunity rather than a confirmation guarantee.

Can I Get a Different Train Through VIKALP?

Yes, that is the main purpose of the scheme.

If you have opted for VIKALP and your original ticket remains waitlisted, IRCTC may shift you to an alternate train if accommodation is available.

The alternate train may have a different departure or arrival time from your original train. Therefore, passengers should check the alternate train details before travelling.

What Happens If My Ticket Is Confirmed in the Original Train?

If your original ticket gets confirmed, you will normally travel on the original train according to your confirmed booking.

VIKALP is mainly useful when your original ticket remains waitlisted and an eligible alternate accommodation becomes available.

This means you should continue checking your PNR status until the final chart preparation.

What Happens After Chart Preparation?

Chart preparation is an important stage for waitlisted passengers.

Once the railway reservation chart is prepared, your final booking status becomes clearer. If you have been allotted an alternate train under VIKALP, your booking details will reflect the new train and accommodation information.

If no alternate accommodation is available and your ticket remains fully waitlisted, the applicable rules for fully waitlisted e-tickets will apply.

This is why checking your PNR Status close to the journey date is useful.

Will I Get a Refund If My Ticket Remains Waitlisted?

If an e-ticket remains fully waitlisted after chart preparation, it is generally not valid for boarding the reserved train, and the applicable refund process is handled according to railway rules.

Passengers should not board a reserved train with a fully waitlisted e-ticket after the final chart has been prepared.

The exact refund and cancellation treatment can depend on the type of ticket and booking.

Is There an Extra Charge for VIKALP?

VIKALP itself is designed as an alternate accommodation option for eligible waitlisted passengers. However, the final fare treatment can depend on the difference between the original and alternate train, class and applicable railway rules.

Passengers should check the fare and booking details shown by IRCTC for their particular transaction rather than assuming that every VIKALP transfer will have exactly the same fare.

Can I Choose the Exact Seat or Berth in the Alternate Train?

No. Selecting VIKALP does not mean that you can choose a particular seat or berth in the alternate train.

If accommodation is allotted, the seat or berth is assigned according to the normal railway reservation process and availability.

You should therefore treat VIKALP as a way to get alternate accommodation, not as a way to select a specific seat.

Important Things to Remember About VIKALP

Frequently Asked Questions About the VIKALP Scheme

1. What is the VIKALP scheme in IRCTC?

VIKALP is an alternate train accommodation scheme for eligible waitlisted passengers. It gives passengers a chance to get accommodation on another eligible train if their original ticket remains waitlisted.

2. Does VIKALP guarantee a confirmed ticket?

No. VIKALP does not guarantee confirmation. An alternate train seat or berth is provided only if suitable accommodation is available and the booking meets the applicable conditions.

3. Can I select an alternate train under VIKALP?

Yes. If the VIKALP option is available for your booking, IRCTC will show eligible alternate trains that you can select.

4. Can I travel on the alternate train if my original ticket is waitlisted?

If IRCTC successfully allots you accommodation on an alternate train under the VIKALP scheme, you can travel according to the new booking details. Always check your updated PNR and ticket information before travelling.

5. What if my original ticket gets confirmed?

If your original booking gets confirmed, you will normally travel on your original train. The VIKALP option is primarily useful when the original ticket remains waitlisted.

6. Can I choose a specific seat in the alternate train?

No. You can select from the available alternate train options, but the exact seat or berth is allotted according to railway reservation rules and availability.

7. What happens if my ticket remains fully waitlisted after chart preparation?

A fully waitlisted e-ticket after chart preparation is generally not valid for boarding the reserved train. The applicable refund process is handled according to railway rules.

8. Should I keep checking my PNR after selecting VIKALP?

Yes. It is a good idea to keep checking your PNR status because your booking status can change before the final chart is prepared.

Final Words

The IRCTC VIKALP scheme can be useful when your preferred train is full and your ticket remains waitlisted. Instead of depending only on the original train, you get an opportunity to travel on another eligible train if accommodation becomes available.

However, VIKALP should not be treated as a guaranteed way to get a confirmed ticket. The final allocation depends on seat availability, train eligibility and railway rules.

If you have opted for VIKALP, keep an eye on your booking status and check your PNR Status Check regularly. This will help you know whether your original ticket has been confirmed or whether an alternate train has been allotted.

Most importantly, check the latest IRCTC information before your journey because VIKALP conditions and railway reservation procedures may be updated from time to time.