Short Messaging Service (SMS), sent by Railways / IRCTC, are accepted as valid travel authority in case of e-tickets booked online. Accordingly, the Virtual Reservation Message (VRM) ie., the screen shot of e-ticket displayed on Laptops / Palmtopsfor tickets booked through Laptops / PalmtopsandMobile Reservation Message (MRM), ie., the screen shot of e-ticket displayed on Mobile Phonesfor tickets booked through Mobile Phones, will be accepted as valid travel authorities on par with Electronic Reservation Slip (ERS).These provisions will also be applicable in case of e-tickets booked through IRCTC Website leading to avoidinguse of Paper.
The SMS will contain vital details such as PNR No., Train No., Date of Journey, Class of Journey, Names of Passengers, Coach No., berth No., Fair and Surcharge if any. The Electronic Reservation Slip, Virtual Reservation Message and Mobile Reservation Message will be treated as valid authorities for travel along with (1) confirmed / RAC Reservation, (2) any one of the prescribed ID proofs in original and (3) appearance of names of the passengers on the Reservation Chart.
The list of valid proof of identity to be produced in original during the course of on-board and off-board checking are as follows:-
·Voter Photo Identity Card issued by Election Commission of India,
·Passport,
·PAN Card issued by income Tax Department,
·Driving License issued by RTO,
·Photo Identity Card having serial number issued by Central /State Governments,
·Student Identity Card with photograph issued by recognized school / college for their students,
·Nationalised Bank Passbook with Photograph,
·Credit Card issued by Banks with laminated photograph and
·Unique Identification Card “Aadhaar”
The SMS display should be shown during the course of on-board / Off-board checking. If the passenger fails to produce / display the SMS due to any eventuality such as loss, discharged Mobile/Laptop etc., but has the prescribed proof of identity, a penalty of Rs.50/- per ticket will be levied by the ticket che