IRCTC’s ‘VIKALP’ Scheme is Revolutionary – 8 Things you need to know about VIKALP

Here are 8 facts about VIKALP scheme which every train traveller should be aware of:

1. Assume you have a wait-listed ticket for a train called Lucknow Mail which goes from New Delhi to Lucknow, every day at 10 PM. The Chart has been prepared, and your ticket shows wait-listed # 32. Under VIKALP scheme, your ticket can be allocated to the next available train, which is going towards Lucknow from Delhi, and leaves after 10 PM.
2. Hence, without paying anything extra, your ticket can be upgraded or moved to another class under VIKALP. Assuming that you have a Sleeper class ticket for Lucknow Mail, which is wait-listed. Under VIKALP, your ticket can be upgraded to AC Superfast Express which leaves at 11.30 PM for Lucknow. You are not required to pay anything additional for the upgrade.
3. Hence, theoretically speaking, any ticket which is waitlisted can now be used to travel in premium trains like Shatabdi or Rajdhani, without any extra cost.
4. VIKALP Scheme is only for those tickets which have been booked via IRCTC website. As soon as the chart is prepared, and if your ticket is wait-listed, you will get an SMS, informing about activation of VIKALP option, and your new train, coach and berth numbers would be shared.
5. You have the option to either choose VIKALP option, and travel in another train, or cancel the existing ticket. In case of cancellation, the normal rules apply for wait-listed trains.
6. Once you opt for the VIKALP option, you can always upgrade to another higher class in the new train, by paying the difference of cost. For example, you had a AC 3 ticket, but under VIKALP, you got a sleeper class berth in a new train. Now, ocne you say yes to VIKALP, you can always upgrade to AC 3 in the new train by paying the difference of amount (in case berths are available). But the default allocation of ticket in a new train under VIKALP shall be free of cost, and included in the cost of the original ticket.
7. Now, after you say yes to VIKALP, and then you decide to cancel, then the cancellation shall be treated for a confirmed berth on the new train, not on the basis of wait-listed ticket on the old train.
8. Only those passengers whose tickets are wait-listed even after preparation of chart would be eligible for VIKALP option. And, once you have said yes to VIKALP, you cannot board the original train, for which your ticket was issued in waiting list.

Explaining the rationale behind VIKALP, a senior Railway official said, “We aim to achieve the twin objectives of providing confirmed accommodation to waitlisted passengers and ensure optimal utilization of available accommodation by this scheme.”

Pan-India roll out of VIKALP shall start from April 1st. However, Indian Railways had been running the scheme on a pilot basis on few routes such as Delhi-Lucknow, Delhi-Jammu and Delhi-Mumbai, since November 1st.

Here are 8 essential things to know about IRCTC’s VIKALP Scheme—a useful option for passengers with waitlisted tickets who wish to improve confirmation chances using alternate trains:

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🚉 What Is VIKALP Scheme?

The VIKALP (Alternate Train Accommodation Scheme) allows passengers with fully waitlisted tickets (via IRCTC) to opt for travel on alternative express/mail trains on the same route, departing within 12 hours of the original scheduled departure—at no extra cost.

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1. ✅ Eligibility & Applicability

• Applicable to all waitlisted passengers, regardless of quota or concession.
• Valid for mail and express train bookings made via the IRCTC website or app. (Originally pilot on limited routes and later extended network-wide—including counter bookings.)

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2. 🔄 Multiple Train Options

Passengers can select up to five alternate trains (as listed during booking) running on the same corridor, within a 12‑hour time window.

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3. 💰 No Extra Charges or Refunds

• If allotted accommodation in an alternate train, you pay nothing extra, nor receive a refund if the alternate train fare is lower.
• Standard cancellation and refund rules apply if you later cancel the confirmed alternate booking.

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4. 🚃 Allocation Behavior & Boarding Rules

• Allocation is not guaranteed—it’s subject to berth availability in the alternate train after charting of the original one.
• If allotted, you cannot board the original train. All passengers on the PNR must either be shifted or none. You must travel on authority of the original ticket.

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5. 📊 When You Get the Confirmation

• Once the first chart is prepared for the original train, if it remains fully waitlisted, IRCTC transfers your ticket to the alternate train.
• You can then check the PNR status for the final allotment on the alternate train.

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6. ✳️ Cancellation After Allotment

• If you cancel after being allotted an alternate seat, you will be treated as a confirmed passenger, and full cancellation charges (as applicable) will be levied.
• No further modification or shifting after allotment—you must cancel and rebook if your plan changes.

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7. 🌐 Strategic & Operational Benefits

• Designed to reduce waitlist defaults and optimize berth utilization—including in premium trains like Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto, Suvidha runs. Railways estimates saving several thousand crores annually in refunds.

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8. 🧾 Real-World Feedback from Users

According to reddit user experiences:

“No it doesn’t affect wait list. You are likely to get accommodation in another train that runs on the same day.”

“Suppose you book waiting ticket… Now you choose Opt Vikalp… However, in reality, hardly any Opt Vikalp ticket gets confirmed… because their own waiting lists like GNWL, etc., are not completely confirmed.”

“Multiple times got CNF in Vikalp opted train…” indicating it can work occasionally.

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📋 Summary Table

Aspect	Details
Who can opt	Fully waitlisted passengers, via IRCTC booking
Alternate options	Up to 5 trains within 12-hr window
Charges	None extra; no refund if fare lower
Confirmation timing	After original train chart is prepared
Travel conditions	Must board alternate train; cannot revert
Cancellation	Treated as confirmed ticket if allotted
Supply-side impact	Better berth usage, fewer refunds
Reliability	Mixed; limited confirmations reported

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✅ Final Takeaway

IRCTC’s VIKALP Scheme offers a convenient opportunity for waitlisted passengers to gain confirmed berth—possibly on a higher-class or premium train—without extra cost. However, it’s important to recognize it’s not a guaranteed upgrade, and confirmation rates may be low, depending on vacancy patterns. If successful, your original PNR gets reused, but your travel occurs on the alternate train—with cancellation treated accordingly.

Would you like help checking if VIKALP is available for your current waitlisted PNR, or guidance on choosing alternate trains optimally during booking?