Can You Book Two Seats in One Ticket on Indian Railways?

Yes, of course, you can book at most 6 seats in a single ticket on Indian Railways. However, each seat requires its own name, age, and gender details.

Booking Guidelines

According to the Indian Rail Traffic Control (IRTC) guidelines, any individual can book up to 6 seats per ticket, and a maximum of 6 bookings are allowed per month. You can successfully book two seats in one ticket.

The booking process allows you to add up to 6 people in a single ticket by providing their names, ages, and other required details within the booking format. This will result in one Passenger Name Record (PNR) with all passengers listed. Should you wish to remove any name from the passenger list, it can be done without changing the existing PNR reference.

Personal Experience

I personally traveled with my mother who had recently undergone bilateral knee replacement surgery. To comfort her, I booked 3 AC Chair Car tickets (CC) under one PNR, assigning seat numbers for both my name and my mother's. However, I also booked a second PNR ticket with a seat in the same bogie but under a different number. Everything went according to plan until no waitlisted passengers were present.

As the train journey progressed, waitlisted passengers began arriving, and Train Ticket Examiner (TTE) approached us. He informed us that it was not permissible to keep the seats unoccupied, even if only partially occupied by my mother. Despite our request and argument, the TTE considered our arrangement illegal. He stated that if we were uncomfortable traveling, we should not travel with a patient.

This situation was novel for me, so I decided to share it, hoping to provide helpful insights.

Additional Bookings

Yes, you can book two berths for one person as long as the tickets for the same name are not to the same destination or in the same class. Remember to carry an official ID with your address and photograph when traveling on Indian Railways.

The system allows you to book the entire train under your name; you can even book 2 seats. However, if you book it in someone else's name, it can be considered a no-show and will be allotted to another person. If you book 2 seats under your name, no one, not even a TTE, can cancel it.

(1) It cannot be considered a no-show because it’s under your name, and you are present.

(2) The Indian Railway system allows this booking, so it’s within their guidelines.

(3) During my many travels in AC 1, I booked an entire cabin for my family, and no one questioned why I had booked the entire cabin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I book more than 6 seats per ticket?

A: No, according to IRTC guidelines, you can book up to 6 seats per ticket.

Q: What are the requirements to book a ticket?

A: You need to provide the name, age, and gender for each seat. It’s essential to carry an official ID with your address and photograph.

Q: What happens if I don't travel with someone booked under my name?

A: It is considered a no-show, and the seat will be allocated to another passenger.

Q: Can TTEs cancel my booking?

A: No, TTEs cannot cancel a seat booked under your name unless there are specific violations.

Q: Are there any restrictions on booking?

A: Yes, the tickets for the same name should not be to the same destination or class.