IRCTC Defends UPI and Online Ticket Fees: Railway Minister Explains ₹10–₹20 Charge for Convenience

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has clarified that its ₹10 fee for non-AC tickets and ₹20 for AC tickets booked online is not an extra tax but a convenience fee. This charge helps cover the high cost of running and upgrading its booking platform, which ensures a smooth and secure service for millions of passengers.

Railway Minister’s Justification

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw explained that maintaining IRCTC’s digital infrastructure requires significant investment. The system’s upkeep, upgrades, and expansion are essential to handle the huge volume of online bookings, which now account for about 87% of all reserved tickets.

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Benefits of the Online System

The minister stressed that online booking saves passengers both time and travel costs since they no longer need to physically visit railway reservation counters. The fee is described as “very nominal” and is aimed at keeping the service efficient and reliable.

IRCTC Share Price Movement

As of August 11, 2025, at 1:05 pm IST, IRCTC share price (NSE: IRCTC) is trading at ₹722.55, up ₹3.60 or 0.50% for the day. The stock opened at ₹718.70, touched an intraday high of ₹725.35, and a low of ₹716.25. IRCTC has a market capitalisation of ₹57,800 crore, a P/E ratio of 43.94, and a dividend yield of 1.11%. Its 52-week high is ₹957.10, and its 52-week low is ₹656.00. The company’s quarterly dividend amount is ₹2.00 per share.

Conclusion

While the debate continues, the government maintains that the small fee is a fair trade-off for a robust, secure, and widely used ticket booking platform. With nearly nine out of ten reserved tickets sold online, IRCTC’s system remains central to India’s rail travel experience.

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