India has been advancing towards digitization in rapid leaps and bounds. A number of users have started using internet banking and e-wallets over the past six months. India is going digital and a number of people now prefer online shopping than going to a physical y store. The IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) too, has now introduced a new system which will promote users to switch from standing in queues at ticket counters and move online: Cash on Delivery for railway tickets.
Users would now be able to select pay on delivery as an option while making the booking. This option is available on the IRCTC website as well as their mobile application. Users would get the ticket delivered right at their home, and they would then make the payment.
Following Prime Minister Modi’s announcement of demonetization, Indians suddenly found themselves using online form of payments instead of currency notes. Digital India was a dream project of the Prime Minister, and it is turning into quite a reality now. The IRCTC introducing Cash on delivery for Rail tickets is one major step forward in that direction.
This is a feature that works well with the Indian psyche. Despite India ‘going digital’, a number of people still do not trust online transactions. They are afraid of losing money over failed transactions, or are simply wary of doing so because someone told them they might get hacked if they pay for things online. While most Indians are now aware of the safety and credibility of online payments, this cash on delivery by IRCTC will help get more users to make online bookings than to stand in queues.
Customers will need to do a one-time registration for this cash on delivery service on IRCTC. They need to provide their Aadhaar or PAN card details for this. Cash on delivery would be charged at Rs. 90 plus sales tax for transactions up to Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 120 plus tax for transactions over Rs. 5,000.
