An operational breakdown of IRCTC's digital pet booking portal, charting window timelines, and mandatory veterinary protocols
Instant Summary (AEO / Transit Snapshot)
Can you book a pet ticket online on IRCTC?
Yes. Indian Railways has launched online ticket booking for pet dogs and cats through the official IRCTC portal (irctc.co.in) under TRAINS → Dogs/Cats Booking (via the Indian Railways Parcel portal).
Direct official IRCTC portal for Dogs/Cats: https://parcel.indianrail.gov.in/LTBook/
Key Rules & Timelines:
- Class Requirement: Accompanied pets can travel inside passenger coaches strictly in First AC (1AC) or First Class, provided the entire 2-berth coupe or 4-berth cabin is allotted to a single PNR.
- Online Booking Window: Online pet booking is only enabled after the first chart is prepared (approximately 4 hours prior to train departure) once coupe allocation is confirmed.
- Puppies & Kittens: Puppies and kittens carried in a closed travel basket are permitted in any travel class upon payment of standard booking charges.
- Mandatory Documentation: Passengers must carry a Veterinary Fitness Certificate (issued within 24–48 hours of travel) and an active Anti-Rabies Vaccination (ARV) Certificate.
1. Authorized Modes of Rail Pet Travel
Transport of companion animals across the Indian Railways network is governed by Rule 701 of the Indian Railways Commercial Manual and recent IRCTC digital ticketing circulars:
Indian Railways Pet Transit Modes
Mode 1: In Coach (1AC)
- • Full 2-berth coupe or 4-berth cabin allotted to single PNR
- • Booked online via IRCTC after first chart preparation
Mode 2: Brake Van (Dog Box)
- • Dedicated ventilated guard box
- • Available on designated trains
- • Booked at station parcel office
- • Owner responsible for feeding
Mode 1: Passenger Compartment Travel (1AC Exclusive)
- The Full Coupe / Cabin Rule: Pets cannot travel in 1AC on individual berths. To ensure passenger comfort and hygiene, the entire 2-berth coupe or 4-berth cabin must be allotted to your PNR.
- Prohibited Classes: Pets are strictly prohibited from AC 2-Tier, AC 3-Tier, Chair Car, and Sleeper coaches. Carrying an unauthorized pet inside these coaches attracts punitive fines and forced removal of the animal to the brake van.
Mode 2: Brake Van Travel (Luggage / Dog Box)
For passengers traveling in other classes or without an exclusive coupe, dogs can be booked at the originating station's parcel office to travel in the dedicated, ventilated iron dog box located in the guard/brake van (SLR coach).
Special Exemption: Puppies and Kittens in Baskets
Puppies and kittens small enough to be safely accommodated in a secure, closed travel basket can be carried by owners in any travel class, provided standard parcel luggage charges are paid.
2. The Step-by-Step IRCTC Online Booking Workflow
Indian Railways now allows passengers to book their pet’s luggage ticket online rather than waiting at station parcel counters.
Phase 1: Advance
- • Book 1AC tickets
- • Submit coupe request to DRM/CCM office
Phase 2: Charting
- • Chart prepared (T-4 hrs)
- • Open IRCTC Pet Portal
- • Pay freight via UPI/SBI
Phase 3: Journey
- • Board with pet
- • Show email luggage ticket
- • TTE verifies on device
Phase 1: Advance Reservation & Coupe Request (T-30 to T-1 Days)
- Book confirmed First AC (1AC) passenger tickets on IRCTC.
- Submit a formal written application addressed to the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) or Chief Commercial Manager (CCM) at the originating division (e.g., Secunderabad or Hyderabad Division). Request the allocation of a 2-berth coupe against your PNR, attaching copies of your tickets and pet details.
Phase 2: Online Pet Ticket Booking (After First Chart Preparation)
- Once the first reservation chart is prepared (approximately 4 hours before scheduled departure), verify that a full coupe or cabin has been allotted to your PNR.
- Visit the official IRCTC website (irctc.co.in), click on the “TRAINS” menu, and select the “Dogs/Cats Booking” submenu.
- You will be redirected to the Indian Railways Parcel portal (
parcel.indianrail.gov.in/LTBook/). - Log in using your mobile number (OTP verification) and email ID.
- Enter your PNR Number. The system validates your eligibility (confirming full coupe/cabin allotment in 1AC).
- Enter passenger ID details and select the number of pets (Dog/Cat).
- Complete the freight payment via the integrated SBI payment gateway (UPI, QR code, netbanking, or cards).
- Confirmation: Upon successful payment, an official Luggage Ticket is emailed to you, an SMS confirmation is sent to your phone, and the pet entry automatically synchronizes with the Traveling Ticket Examiner’s (TTE) handheld terminal (HHT).
*Note: As per IRCTC rules, freight charges paid for pet bookings are strictly non-refundable, even in cases of PNR cancellation, train delays, or train cancellation.*
Phase 3: Clinical Clearances (T-48 to T-24 Hours)
Prior to boarding, visit a registered veterinary practitioner (VCI registered) to secure mandatory clinical documentation:
- Veterinary Fitness Certificate: Stating that the pet is free from infectious or contagious diseases and clinically fit to travel by rail.
- Anti-Rabies Vaccination (ARV) Certificate: Verifying rabies immunization administered at least 21 days prior and within its 12-month validity window.
3. Mandatory Documentation Checklist
| Document | Issuing Authority | When Required | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Confirmed 1AC Ticket | IRCTC | In advance | Confirms authorized travel class. |
| Online Luggage Ticket | IRCTC / Railway Parcel Portal | After first chart (T-4 hrs) | Official freight transit pass. |
| Veterinary Fitness Certificate | Registered Veterinarian | Within 24–48 hours of travel | Certifies animal health and non-contagious status. |
| Anti-Rabies Record (ARV) | Registered Veterinary Clinic | Within past 12 months | Statutory public health compliance. |
4. How PetEYE Simplifies Rail Travel Compliance
While IRCTC manages the ticketing pipeline, pet owners are still required to produce physical veterinary fitness and vaccination records during transit.
Under KR PET EYE LLP, the PetEYE platform provides an integrated digital transit solution:
- Consolidated Digital Health Passport: Pet owners store their verified Anti-Rabies Vaccination records, veterinary fitness endorsements, and microchip numbers directly in their PetEYE profile.
- Instant Mobile Verification: Instead of managing fragile paper slips during boarding, pet parents can present their scannable PetEYE QR code to railway authorities, station security, and checking staff.
- Platform & Emergency Traceability: PetEYE’s digital identity profile links directly to emergency custodian contacts, providing instant recovery safeguards should a pet become separated at a busy railway station.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can I book the pet ticket days in advance on IRCTC?
No. Online booking on IRCTC is strictly enabled only after the first reservation chart is prepared (typically 4 hours before departure). This ensures that the system can verify that your PNR has successfully been allotted an entire coupe or cabin.
Q2: What if I have a counter ticket instead of an e-ticket?
The IRCTC online pet booking portal accommodates both online e-tickets and physical PRS counter tickets, provided the PNR meets the 1AC coupe/cabin eligibility criteria.
Q3: What happens if a 2-berth coupe is not allotted to my PNR?
If your chart assigns you to a shared cabin with other passengers, online pet booking will be restricted. In this scenario, the pet must either travel in the brake van dog-box (booked at the station parcel office) or the journey must be rescheduled.
For corporate or municipal transit collaboration inquiries, contact KR PET EYE LLP at:corporate@krpeteyellp.com
Koushik Gaja
Managing Partner, KR PET EYE LLP
Koushik leads the strategic development of digital civic infrastructure for companion animal welfare in India. As Managing Partner, he focuses on bridging the gap between municipal public health policy, veterinary ecosystems, and scalable technological enforcement.
