Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate for IRCTC / Indian Railway Online Ticket Booking / e-Ticketing
The rail travel service agents who are working with Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), a subdivision of the India Railways need to obtain a class 3 Digital Signature Certificate. Only the agents with the digital certificate are authorized to have legal transactions with IRCTC.
IRCTC is a subsidiary of the Indian Railways. The division handles catering, tourism and online ticketing operations of the Indian Railways. It is mandatory for all Rail Travel Service Agents (RTSA), authorised by IRCTC, to purchase a class 3 digital signature certificate from any Indian certifying authority to continue booking Indian railway tickets through the IRCTC website. Only one authorised user will be allow and the details of will be provided by them to IRCTC.
When an Rail Travel Service Agents user logs onto the IRCTC website, an application will verify the authentication of the class 3 digital signature certificate. If the digital signature certificate is authenticated, the application will allow the user to book the number of tickets the agent wishes to booked. There are no restrictions on the number of tickets the agent can book. RTSA who wish to carry out transactions through IRCTC should to contact the IRCTC. To confirm that the RTSA is authorised, send the Zonal Railways letter to the IRCTC.
IRCTC may form an agreement with an authorised RTSA. The terms and conditions for using IRCTC website for booking tickets online will be included in the agreement. The IRCTC Rail Agents will have to pay a one-time fee of Rs. 20,000/- to IRCTC. The only accepted mode of payment is a demand draft in favour of IRCTC which is payable at New Delhi. If the IRCTC Rail Agents withdraws from the agreement, Rs. 10,000/- will be refundable. The RTSA also has to renew the scheme annually with a payment of Rs. 5,000/-. RTSA can buy class 3 digital signature certificates issued by (n)code solutions and e-Mudhra through this user-friendly online portal Digial Signature Mart.
E-ticketing agents of IRCTC are also authorised to sell tourism products on www.railtourismindia.com , with the same user ID and password used for booking railway tickets online. The authorised agents will receive commission upon selling various tourism products. Contact the ‘Tourism Agent Cell’ for further details – tourismagent@irctc.com
Advantages of using digital signature Certificates:
The following are the main profits of using digital signature certificates:
Efficient: RTSAs no longer have to send their staff to wait in long queues at various ticket counters. They can easily book multiple railway tickets for their various customers from anywhere on the IRCTC website.
Costs: It is cost effective to book train tickets online. All you need is a computer and an internet connection.
Identity authentication: The application on the IRCTC verifies the identity of the authorised travel agent and only allows genuine agents to book tickets.
Security: The use of digital signature certificates and electronic documents helps make your online transactions secure.
Imposter prevention: No travel agent can book tickets online, with your login details, due to the digital signature certificate authentication required.
Hassle-free transactions: The travel agents can book railway tickets without any additional hassles.