Accessibility Controls
Commercial Catering
0Overview / परिचय
Indian Railways provides catering services to millions of passengers every day through a structured framework managed jointly by Zonal Railways and IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation). The services include onboard catering in trains, static units at stations (stalls, refreshment rooms, food plazas, milk stalls, etc.), e-Catering and base kitchens.
भारतीय रेलवे यात्रियों को गुणवत्तापूर्ण एवं स्वच्छ भोजन उपलब्ध कराने के लिए केटरिंग सेवाएँ प्रदान करती है। यह व्यवस्था जोनल रेलवे तथा आईआरसीटीसी के माध्यम से संचालित होती है।
1Catering Policy 2017
The Catering Policy 2017 was notified on 27 February 2017 with the objective of providing hygienic, good quality and affordable food to rail passengers by adopting best practices of the hospitality industry.
केटरिंग पॉलिसी 2017 दिनांक 27 फरवरी 2017 को अधिसूचित की गई थी। इसका मुख्य उद्देश्य यात्रियों को स्वच्छ, गुणवत्तापूर्ण एवं किफायती भोजन उपलब्ध कराना है।
Key Features / मुख्य विशेषताएँ
Tenure of Units
- Most static units (except kitchen units and Food Plaza): 5 years
- Food Plaza: 9 years
- Perpetual renewal system has been done away with.
Subsequent addendums and circulars (including Commercial Circulars) continue to refine the policy. Always refer to the latest Railway Board instructions for current applicability.
2Promotion of Digital & Cashless Transactions
Indian Railways actively promotes digital and cashless payments for catering services to improve transparency, reduce cash handling and encourage digital India initiatives.
How Passengers Benefit
- Prefer digital payment options (UPI, debit/credit cards, net banking, IRCTC e-wallet) while ordering through e-Catering or onboard POS machines.
- Many e-Catering partners and IRCTC platforms offer prepaid discounts / cashback on digital payments.
- Cash transactions are being progressively discouraged in favour of digital modes for better accountability and hygiene.
3Applicability of GST on Catering Services
Goods and Services Tax (GST) is applicable on catering services provided by Indian Railways, IRCTC and their licensees. Rates have been rationalised for uniformity.
| Type of Catering Service | GST Rate (indicative) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Meals / food & drinks supplied by Railways / IRCTC / licensees in trains or at platforms (standard catering) | 5% (without ITC in many cases) | Special concessional rate for railway catering |
| Static units without air-conditioning / central heating | Earlier 12% (now largely aligned to 5% for railway supply) | As per applicable notifications |
| Static units with air-conditioning / central heating | Earlier 18% | Subject to latest CBIC / Finance Ministry notifications |
| Rajdhani / Shatabdi / Duronto / premium trains | Generally 5% or as notified for railway catering | Menu & tariff inclusive of applicable GST in many cases |
The Ministry of Finance / CBIC has issued clarifications from time to time to bring uniformity. In practice, the price displayed for standard meals on trains and platforms is often inclusive of applicable GST so that passengers are not charged extra at the point of sale.
4Approved Brand List
Only brands short-listed / approved by IRCTC or Zonal Railways (as applicable) are permitted for sale as Packaged Drinking Water (PDW), Packaged And Ready-to-Eat (PAD / RTE) items, namkeen, beverages etc. in static and mobile catering units.
Key Categories
- Packaged Drinking Water (PDW) – Only IRCTC / Railway approved brands (e.g., Rail Neer and other short-listed brands).
- Packaged Food / Namkeen / Chips / Ready-to-Eat – Brands approved under various categories (Category A, A-Special, Category-6 etc.) with specified validity periods.
- Beverages – Approved soft drinks, juices and other packaged beverages.
The approved brand list is maintained and periodically updated by IRCTC / concerned Zonal Railways. For the latest short-list, refer to the official IRCTC website or the Commercial Department of the concerned Zonal Railway / Division.
5Catering Contractors List – Nanded (NED) Division
As on 09.01.2025 – South Central Railway, Nanded Division maintains the list of catering contractors / licensees operating minor static units (tea stalls, refreshment rooms, milk stalls, juice bars, etc.) under its jurisdiction.
How to Obtain the Latest List
- Visit the official website of South Central Railway → Nanded Division → Commercial section.
- Contact the office of Sr. DCM / Nanded for the authenticated list of contractors as on any particular date.
- Debarred / blacklisted contractors list is also published from time to time by SCR.
Allotment of minor catering units is done through competitive open tendering system by the Division as per Catering Policy 2017. Tenure is generally 5 years for most minor units.
6Official Links & Resources
Quick Summary / त्वरित सारांश
- Catering Policy 2017 – Unbundling of preparation (IRCTC) and service; modern Base Kitchens; 33% women quota for minor units.
- Digital Payments – Promotion of cashless transactions with provision of discount (including 5% in applicable cases) for digital mode.
- GST – Generally 5% on standard railway catering supplies (trains & platforms); rates subject to latest notifications.
- Approved Brands – Only short-listed brands of PDW, PAD, beverages etc. are permitted for sale.
- NED Division – Contractor list as on 09.01.2025 available with Sr. DCM / Nanded Division, South Central Railway.