Starting today, booking online tickets through IRCTC will cost more, because the service charge has been increased. By booking tickets on the website of IRCTC, users will have to pay an additional 20-40 rupees. If you book tickets online for sleeper class, then you will have to pay 20 rupees more. For the AC class, you have to pay 40 rupees more on the online ticket.
However, there will be an advantage if using the BHIM App. On payment from Bhim app, you have to pay 10 rupees more for Sleeper class and only 20 rupees for AC class.
On 8 November 2016, Modi government announced demonetisation. After that the service charge on online ticket was withdrawn for the purpose of promoting digital transactions. The government’s decision showed positive effect and the trend of booking tickets online by visiting the IRCTC website increased. However, before that the service charge collection rule was applicable, which has been implemented again. According to the officials of the railway department, the share of online ticket in railway ticket booking is 55-60 percent. In such a situation, the revenue of the railway will increase. Currently, 11-12 lakh tickets are booked daily.