IRCTC : SMS Based Mobile Booking Train Tickets

Name of the Organisation : Indian Railway (irctc.co.in)
Type of Facility : Book your train tickets from mobile without using Internet Connection

https://www.irctc.co.in/
https://www.irctc.co.in/eticketing/loginHome.jsf

Now Book your train tickets using Mobile Phone, anywhere and anytime WITHOUT using Internet connection. Train passengers will be able to use their mobile phones to book tickets through a simple text-messaging-based-SMS facility or a menu-based dialling service –USSD service. Currently, only registered IRCTC users can use these services.

THE TWO OPTIONS :
1) SMS Based Booking
2) USSD (Menu-based dialling)

SMS Based Booking :
SMS Services are currently offered by:-
Bharat BPO
Frequency Weekly
Pyro Group

1. For SMS Bookings, send a Booking SMS in specified format with information of Date of Journey, Class , Train Number and Passenger Details. You shall receive Seat Availability.

2. In the second SMS make the Payment, which can be initiated in either two ways:-
Using Mobile Money Identifier MMID* and one-time password (OTP) as received from Bank for registered Mobile Number.
Using PrePaid Wallet Cards or mWallets.

3. Booking confirmation SMS is sent by IRCTC.

* MMID generation is a single click process available with more than 26 Indian Banks covering over 90% of the total banking subscriber base. The banks for the same are listed at http://www.npci.org.in/bankmember.aspx

* “OTP” is a One Time Password generated and provided by your respective bank.

USSD (Menu-based dialling) :
USSD Services are currently offered by:-
Airtel Money :
Non-Internet Based Booking :
Step 1 : Register for airtel money
Dial airtel money USSD Code ( Toll Free Number coming shortly) & register for airtel money “Express Account” by using simple menu on phone and providing basic details like First Name Last Name & DOB.
OR Visit airtel.in/money/registration.html to register online

Step 2 : Load cash in airtel money account
Users can load cash in their airtel money account by visiting any airtel money outlet across the country or online using Net-banking/Debit/Credit cards on website airtel.in/money/load_cash.html

Step 3 : Book tickets
** To book ticket, user Dials (Toll free number coming shortly) , selects “Book Ticket” and then “Rail booking”
** User can select from various options available like Reservation, Information services(PNR enquiry, Trains etc) , Cancellation etc.
** Once user selects “Reservation” , he will be asked to enter IRCTC user ID for first time( associated with the Mobile number) and upon validation he can continue to book ticket. Please make sure your IRCTC profile is updated with airtel money mobile number.
** Users can search for Trains between station, check availability and provide passenger details to complete the booking.
** Airtel money wallet will be debited against the ticket fare and applicable charges.

** Dial designated number, you shall receive a Menu Based Screen dialling. Select ‘book tickets’ option, select ‘reservation’ (user is prompted to enter his IRCTC user ID once only), enter details (date of journey, station, train no, class, etc)
** Enter mPIN for authorizing payment through mobile wallet
** Booking confirmation SMS is sent by IRCTC