Booking of Train Ticket by giving Full Name
Booking of Train Ticket by giving Full Name
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAYBOARD)
No .2011/TG-II/20/P/R.Form
New Delhi, dated 17.12.2025
The Chief Commercial Managers,
All Zonal Railways
(COMMERCIAL CIRCULAR NO.73 OF 2025)
Sub: Booking of ticket by giving full name.
As per extant instructions, reservation should be made in the name of each individual by writing their name. However, instances have been brought to the notice of this office where reservation clerks generated reservation tickets using only such short names which can be easily misused by unscrupulous elements.
2. The matter has been examined and it is desired that while booking. the ticket, the booking clerks will invariably mention the full name of the passenger and the surname wherever available in case of all the passengers subject to the maximum number of characters which can be filled in this column and in no case the ticket will be booked in the abbreviated names like A. Sharma, B. Sharma etc. Any lapse on this account should be viewed seriously and the erring staff should be taken up under Disciplinary and Appeal Rule.
3. Necessary instructions may be issued to all concerned for strict compliance.
sd/-
(Vikram Shigh)
Director Passenger Marketing
Railway Board
Click Here Download the Original Order
You’re asking about the policy of booking train tickets using full names rather than abbreviations. Here’s a clear rundown, drawing from official guidelines and real-user experiences:
Contents
Official Directive: Full Name Required
- Commercial Circular No. 73 of 2025, dated December 17, 2025, from the Railway Board mandates that:
- Clerks must enter a passenger’s full name, including surname where applicable, during reservation—up to the character limit.
- Abbreviations like “A. Sharma” or “B. Sharma” are not acceptable and such lapses are considered serious and may lead to disciplinary action.
Why Full Names Matter
- Security & Verification
Full names help prevent wrongful usage or impersonation—clearly distinguishing passengers, especially in case of a name duplication. - Disciplinary Compliance
Railway staff must comply with this policy; failure to do so can attract disciplinary action under Railway rules
Passenger Experience: Practical Reality
- Minor typos or truncated names are often forgiven in practice. For example, on Reddit a user mentioned:
“No one is going to throw you away for one letter in the name… as long as other details match.
- Another passenger noted:
“Just carry your ID proof. TC won’t make an issue most of the time.
These comments suggest that Railway staff generally prioritize identity proof over minor name mismatches during random checks.
Quick Summary Table
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official Rule | Full name—including surname—is required in ticket reservations (Circular No. 73/2025). |
| Allowed Format | No initials like “A. Sharma”; full “Amit Sharma” is required (within field limits). |
| Practical Reality | Typographical errors or truncated names are usually tolerated if the valid ID matches. |
| Best Practice | Enter full name as in ID (passport, Aadhaar, etc.), verify before confirming bookings. |
Final Thoughts
Always ensure your full name (including surname), as per official ID proof, is entered while booking train tickets. It aligns with Railway standards and avoids future complications. And it’s best to review your entries carefully before confirming—keeps everything smoother in case of checks!
Need help adjusting a name on an existing e-ticket or understanding how name mismatches are handled? Let me know—happy to assist!