The history of IRCTC: From inception to now
The history of IRCTC: From inception to now
IRCTC, short for Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation, is a subsidiary of the Indian Railways that handles the online ticketing, catering, and tourism operations. It was established in September 1999 and has since grown into one of the largest e-commerce websites in the country. Here is a brief history of IRCTC, from its inception to the present day.
1999-2002: Inception and Initial Years IRCTC was established in September 1999 as a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Railways with the objective of enhancing customer satisfaction by providing a convenient and reliable ticketing system. Initially, IRCTC launched its website, www.irctc.co.in, in 2002 and started offering online ticket booking services for a limited number of trains.
2003-2010: Expansion of Services and Partnerships In 2003, IRCTC started offering additional services such as e-catering, e-ticketing for Tatkal bookings, and the option to book tickets through mobile phones. In 2007, IRCTC entered into a partnership with the State Bank of India to launch the e-wallet service, which allowed passengers to deposit money in advance and use it to book tickets later. In 2010, IRCTC launched the Indian Railways Tourism and Catering Corporation (IRCTC) Tourism website to offer tourism packages and train-based tours.
2011-2014: Growth and Innovations In 2011, IRCTC launched the ‘Book Your Meal’ service, which allowed passengers to pre-order meals during their train journey. In 2012, IRCTC launched the ‘I-Ticket’ service, which allowed passengers to book tickets online and get a physical ticket delivered to their doorstep. In 2013, IRCTC launched the ‘SBI Railway Card’ in partnership with the State Bank of India, which offered rewards points and cashback on ticket bookings.
2015-2018: Modernization and Upgrades In 2015, IRCTC launched the ‘e-catering’ service, which allowed passengers to order meals from a range of restaurants and food outlets at select railway stations. In 2016, IRCTC introduced the ‘Tatkal Special’ train service, which provided special trains for Tatkal bookings. In 2017, IRCTC launched the ‘IRCTC Rail Connect’ mobile app, which provided a more user-friendly interface for ticket booking and other services.
2019-Present: Diversification and Growth In 2019, IRCTC launched its initial public offering (IPO), which was oversubscribed by more than 100 times and became the most successful IPO of the year. In 2020, IRCTC launched the ‘Tejas Express’ train service, which offered world-class amenities and services. In 2021, IRCTC launched the ‘Nirmiti Kendra’ initiative, which aimed to provide employment opportunities to the rural youth by setting up food processing units in collaboration with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
In conclusion, IRCTC has come a long way since its inception in 1999. Over the years, it has introduced numerous services and initiatives to enhance the customer experience and diversify its offerings. Today, IRCTC is one of the most trusted and popular e-commerce websites in India and is a testament to the power of digital transformation in the country’s transportation sector.