Answer a few simple questions to understand whether the child can travel free, use child fare or NOSB, or needs full adult fare.
Check the child ticket rule
Use the child's age on the journey date. The checker will ask only the questions needed for your case.
Your likely ticket rule
In simple words
If the parent ticket is already booked
A later child NOSB booking may be available from the booked-ticket area when that booking is eligible. Keep these linked-PNR rules in mind:
- Only one child NOSB PNR can be linked to one parent PNR.
- The number of NOSB children cannot be more than the number of adults on the parent PNR.
- A parent PNR that has opted for VIKALP cannot be used for child NOSB booking.
- The child NOSB PNR cannot opt for VIKALP.
- If the linked parent PNR is cancelled or dropped, the linked child NOSB PNR is also cancelled.
See why you got this result
What does NOSB mean?
NOSB means No Seat/Berth. The child is included under the applicable child-fare rule, but no separate reserved seat or berth is allotted in the child's name.
NOSB is not a waiting-list number. If you see NOSB/0, the 0 does not mean that the ticket is waiting at number zero.
What is the simple child ticket rule by age?
Below 5: free when no separate seat or berth is requested. If you want a separate seat or berth, full adult fare applies.
Age 5 to under 12: full adult fare when a separate reserved seat or berth is requested. In an eligible reserved berth class, the child/NOSB fare can apply when no separate berth is requested. Reserved sitting classes have a different rule.
Age 12 or above: full adult fare applies.
Is NOSB allowed in Chair Car or other sitting classes?
Child NOSB booking is not permitted in CC, EC, 2S and EA. In these reserved sitting classes, the full adult fare applies for a child from age 5 to under 12.
This is why checking the class matters. Do not decide only from the train name.
Is NOSB fare exactly 50% of the final amount?
Not always. The child-fare reduction applies to the basic fare where the rule allows it. Other applicable charges, such as superfast, catering or GST charges, may still be charged in full.
So do not expect the final payable amount to always be exactly half of an adult's final ticket price.
Can a child travel alone on NOSB?
A linked child NOSB PNR is not valid for travel without the parent or guardian PNR.
If a child or group of children is travelling without an adult attendant, do not rely on the no-berth option. Full-fare reserved accommodation should be booked.
Can I add a NOSB child after the parent ticket is already booked?
For an eligible booking, the booked-ticket area may provide a child NOSB booking option linked to the parent PNR.
Only one child NOSB PNR can be linked to one parent PNR. The number of NOSB children cannot be more than the number of adults on that parent PNR.
A parent PNR that has opted for VIKALP cannot be used for child NOSB booking, and the child NOSB PNR cannot opt for VIKALP.
Is there a fixed maximum of 3 NOSB children?
Do not use a fixed “maximum 3 children” rule. For a linked child NOSB booking, the number of NOSB children must be equal to or less than the number of adults on the parent PNR.
For example, a parent PNR with 2 adults can have up to 2 NOSB children under this linked-PNR condition.
What happens if the parent PNR is cancelled?
A linked child NOSB PNR can be cancelled separately under the applicable refund rules. But if the linked parent PNR is cancelled or dropped, the linked child NOSB PNR is also cancelled.
Will an NOSB child get a berth after charting?
Do not plan on that. NOSB means that a separate berth was not booked for the child. It is not a WL ticket waiting to become confirmed.
If the child definitely needs a separate berth, choose the full-fare berth option while booking.
See a simple example
An 8-year-old travelling with a parent in 2AC does not need a separate berth. In this case, the child/NOSB fare can apply and no separate berth is reserved.
The same 8-year-old travelling in a reserved sitting class such as Chair Car cannot use the child NOSB option. The full adult fare applies there.
Should I keep age proof for the child?
It is sensible to keep valid age proof with you because the fare rule changes at age 5 and age 12. Enter the child's age correctly when booking.