Railway Catering IRCTC
Railway Catering IRCTC
Overview
Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is a Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Railways, incorporated on 27 Sep 1999. It handles on-board and static catering, e-tickling, packaged drinking water “Rail Neer”, tourism and executive lounge services across the 7,000+ stations of Indian Railways.
Key Facts & Figures
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Incorporation date | 27 Sept 1999 |
| Status | Schedule ‘A’ Mini-Ratna CPSE |
| Parent Ministry | Ministry of Railways |
| Share holding | 100 % Government of India |
| Catering policy in force | “Catering Policy 2017” (amended 2020) |
| Major static food units | 300+ Jan-Ahaar, 50+ Food-Plazas, 600+ Fast-Food units |
| Rail Neer plants (2025) | 12 operational (Nangloi, Danapur, Palur, Ambala, Bhusawal, Nasik, Amethi, Haldia, Faridabad, Sanand, Sankrail, Nagpur) |
| Daily Rail Neer output | 18 lakh bottles |
| On-board catering model | “Pantry-Car” & “E-Catering” (ECOS) |
| E-Catering partners | 3,000+ restaurants across 450+ stations |
| Base Kitchens (IRCTC) | 54 (A1 & A category stations) |
| Tourism trains owned | 4 (Maharajas’ Express, Buddhist Circuit, Ramayana, Shri Ramayana) |
| E-tickling share | ~78 % of all PRS tickets |
| Mobile App | “IRCTC Rail Connect” & “Food-on-Track” |
| Toll-free catering helpline | 1800-1034-139 |
| Award for Rail Neer | “Golden Peacock” for quality |
| Latest IPO | Oct 2019 (5 % OFS) |
Important Points
- Pantry-car trains: all Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto, Vande Bharat & Tejas services.
- Jan-Ahaar stalls sell meals at ₹20-₹50 exclusively for common passengers.
- No pantry cars in trains < 200 km; e-catering compulsory.
- IRCTC follows “Hub & Spoke” model—Base Kitchens (Hub) supply food to satellite stalls.
- Zonal Railways own the physical infrastructure; IRCTC operates catering services under license.
- Catering charges included in Rajdhani/Shatabdi fares; optional in others.
- IRCTC collects 5 % service charge on e-tickets; no charge on i-tickets.
- “Rail Neer” is the only bottled water allowed for on-board sale; private brands banned inside trains.
- 100 % GPS and CCTV coverage in Base Kitchens since 2020.
- IRCTC shares 6 % of gross catering revenue with Indian Railways.
- GST on catering services: 5 % (without ITC) for trains, 12-18 % at static units.
- Food complaints can be lodged through “Food-on-Track” App, WhatsApp 91-8750-001-814 or 139 IVRS option 3.
- IRCTC is the only PSU authorised to run luxury tourist trains on Indian Railway network.
- Executive Lounges at 25 major stations provide showers, Wi-Fi, buffet.
- During COVID-19, IRCTC introduced “Contact-less Catering” & e-token system.
Frequently Asked in Exams
- Year of IRCTC incorporation and its Mini-Ratna status.
- Number & location of Rail Neer plants.
- Difference between Pantry-Car catering and E-Catering (ECOS).
- Revenue-sharing percentage between IRCTC and Indian Railways.
- Latest Catering Policy year and salient features (unbundling, e-catering, base kitchen modernisation).
Practice MCQs
Question:01 IRCTC was incorporated on which date?
A) 15 August 1998
B) 27 September 1999
C) 01 April 2000
D) 05 July 1997
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) was incorporated on 27 September 1999 as a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Railways.
Question:02 Which of the following is NOT a Rail Neer plant location?
A) Danapur
B) Palur
C) Bhusawal
D) Bhopal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Bhopal does not host a Rail Neer water-packaging plant, whereas Danapur, Palur and Bhusawal are established Rail Neer production units.
Question:03 What is the toll-free catering helpline number of IRCTC?
A) 1800-111-321
B) 1800-1034-139
C) 1800-345-678
D) 1800-202-033
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: IRCTC’s toll-free catering helpline number is 1800-1034-139, available 24×7 for passengers to register complaints or seek assistance regarding onboard catering services.
Question:04 As per the Catering Policy 2017, trains shorter than ____ km are not provided with pantry cars.
A) 100
B) 200
C) 300
D) 500
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: According to the Indian Railways Catering Policy 2017, pantry cars are not mandated for trains whose total running distance is less than 200 km.
Question:05 IRCTC shares ____ % of gross catering revenue with Indian Railways.
A) 4
B) 5
C) 6
D) 8
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: As per the current revenue-sharing agreement, IRCTC remits 6 % of its gross catering revenue to Indian Railways.
Question:06 Which luxury train is owned and operated by IRCTC?
A) Deccan Odyssey
B) Golden Chariot
C) Maharajas’ Express
D) Palace on Wheels
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) owns and operates the Maharajas’ Express, India’s most luxurious tourist train.
Question:07 What is the present GST rate on catering services provided on trains?
A) 5 % (without ITC)
B) 12 %
C) 18 %
D) 28 %
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: As per the 2026 GST notification, catering services supplied on trains attract 5 % GST and input tax credit (ITC) is not available to the supplier.
Question:08 [How many operational Rail Neer plants are there as on 2025?]
A) 8
B) 10
C) 12
D) 15
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: As of 2025, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) operates 12 functional Rail Neer packaged-drinking-water plants across the country.
Question:09 Who is the licensing authority for IRCTC catering services?
A) Railway Board
B) Zonal Railways
C) Ministry of Tourism
D) FSSAI
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The Railway Board issues the overarching policy guidelines that license IRCTC catering services on Indian Railways.
Question:10 Which mobile app is used for ordering food through e-catering?
A) UTS
B) NTES
C) Food-on-Track
D) Rail Saarthi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The Indian Railways’ official e-catering mobile application is “Food-on-Track”, through which passengers can order meals from IRCTC-authorized restaurants and get them delivered to their seats.
BETA
