Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation Ltd

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) was incorporated as a Public Limited Company on September 27, 1999, as an extension of the Indian Railways. It was established to upgrade, manage, and professionalize the catering and hospitality services provided at stations, trains, and other venues.

• The Company received the Certificate for Commencement of Business on December 2, 1999.
• It is a 'Mini Ratna (Category-I)' Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India.
• IRCTC promotes domestic and international tourism through:
  • Low-cost accommodations
  • Unique tour packages
  • Informational and promotional campaigns
  • International reservation systems
• It is the sole entity authorized by Indian Railways to:
  • Sell train tickets online
  • Offer food and catering services
  • Supply bottled drinking water (Rail Neer) to railway stations and trains
• Initially fully owned by the Government of India, IRCTC was listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE) in 2019. The Government remains the majority shareholder.
• The Company operates through four key divisions:
  • Internet Ticketing: Handles online booking via the website and mobile app.
  • Catering & Hospitality: Provides food services at stations and onboard trains.
  • Packaged Drinking Water (Rail Neer): Manufactures and distributes bottled water at railway stations.
  • Travel & Tourism: Offers tour packages, air and rail travel, and hotel bookings.

History of IRCTC

• 1999: Incorporated as a Public Limited Company.
• 2002: Launched internet ticketing services.
• 2005: Introduced Rail Neer packaged drinking water.
• 2008: Entered into a joint venture with Cox & Kings Limited for luxury tourism (Maharajas' Express).
• 2011: Supreme Court permitted IRCTC to operate Maharajas' Express independently.
• 2017: Catering Policy 2017 was implemented, making IRCTC responsible for catering services on premium trains.
• 2019:
  • Listed on NSE and BSE through an Initial Public Offering (IPO).
  • Introduced Tejas Trains on Lucknow-New Delhi and Ahmedabad-Mumbai routes.
  • Expanded Rail Neer plants to Sankrail and Maneri.
• 2020-21:
  • Operated Bharat Darshan and Pilgrimage Special Tourist Trains.
  • Launched adventure tourism packages.
  • Introduced 'AskDisha' chatbot for e-ticketing.
• 2022:
  • Achieved a record of 15.88 lakh ticket bookings in a single day.
  • Launched IRCTC BOB Loyalty Co-branded Credit Card.
  • Operated 'Ramayana Yatra' covering major pilgrimage sites.
• 2023:
  • Commissioned the Bhusawal Rail Neer plant.
  • Operated Deluxe Tourist Trains and multiple pilgrimage tours.
  • Expanded e-ticketing services for Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
  • Disinvestment by the Government reduced its stake to 62.40%.

Key Highlights of IRCTC

• Exclusive Ticketing Authority: Handles online booking for Indian Railways.
• Catering Services: Provides food onboard and at railway stations.
• Rail Neer: Manufactures and distributes packaged drinking water with 16 operational plants.
• Luxury & Pilgrimage Trains: Operates Tejas, Maharajas’ Express, and Bharat Darshan trains.
• Tourism & Travel Services: Offers rail, air, and cruise packages.
• Technology Integration: Launched 'AskDisha' chatbot and IRCTC BOB Co-branded Credit Card.
• Adventure Tourism: Conducts specialized tours for unique travel experiences.
• Sustainability Initiatives: Invested in wind and solar power projects.
• Government Disinvestment: Successfully transitioned to a publicly listed entity.
• International Expansion: Partnered with cruise liners for global tourism offerings.