Adding a Child: Add a child (5-11 yrs) as a "No Seat/Berth" (NOSB) passenger at half-fare to an already booked PNR.

Add a child (5-11 yrs) as a "No Seat/Berth" (NOSB) passenger at half-fare to an already booked PNR.

If you have already booked a train ticket and realized you forgot to add a child (aged 5 to 11 years), you are facing a common IRCTC hurdle.

Here is everything you need to know about the NOSB (No Seat/Berth) rule and how to legally add your child to your journey when the PNR is already generated.

What is the NOSB (No Seat/Berth) Rule?

Indian Railways gives parents of children aged 5 to under 12 years a choice:

1. Full Fare (With Berth): You pay the full adult fare, and the child gets their own dedicated seat or sleeper berth. 

2. Half Fare (NOSB): You select "No Berth," pay roughly half the adult base fare, and the child travels by sharing your berth/seat.

 Note: Children under 5 years travel completely free and do not require a ticket unless you voluntarily want a separate berth for them. Once a child turns 12, they must pay the full adult fare.

The Problem: You Cannot Modify a Booked PNR Online

IRCTC's system is strict: Once a PNR is generated, you cannot digitally add any new passenger to that ticket online. There is no "Add Passenger" button for existing e-tickets.

Because a child traveling under NOSB is legally required to be linked to a parent's PNR, you cannot simply go online and book an isolated half-fare ticket for a 7-year-old.

How to Fix It (Your 3 Options)

If you are stuck with a confirmed ticket and an un-ticketed child, here are the official and practical workarounds:

Option 1: The TTE Route (Most Practical)

You do not need to panic or cancel your ticket. You can legally travel and settle the fare on the train.

• What to do: Board the train and proactively seek out the Traveling Ticket Examiner (TTE) before they come to you. 

• The Process: Explain that you need to add a child to your berth as an NOSB passenger. The TTE will manually generate an Excess Fare Ticket (EFT) receipt. 

• The Cost: You will be charged the standard half-fare for the child, plus a minor penalty/clerkage fee (usually around ₹50 to ₹250). 

• Crucial Step: You must carry a physical or digital (DigiLocker) ID proof with the child's date of birth (like an Aadhaar card or birth certificate). If you cannot prove the child is under 12, the TTE is authorized to charge the full adult fare plus the penalty.

 Option 2: Buy an Unreserved Half-Ticket at the Station

If you want to avoid dealing with penalties on the train, arrive at the station early and go to the unreserved ticketing counter (General Ticket window).

• Purchase a half-fare unreserved child ticket for your destination. 

• Board your reserved coach. When the TTE arrives, present your confirmed e-ticket alongside the child's physical unreserved ticket. The TTE will validate this, allowing the child to share your berth.

 Option 3: Cancel and Re-book

If your travel date is far in the future and there are still plenty of available seats (green availability) on your train, the cleanest method is to simply cancel your existing ticket and immediately book a fresh one.

• Warning: Only do this if you are absolutely certain you will get a confirmed seat upon re-booking. Do not risk this if the train is currently waitlisted or in RAC.

 

Important NOSB Restrictions

If you are traveling in CC (Chair Car), EC (Executive Chair Car), 2S (Second Sitting), or EA (Anubhuti) classes, the NOSB half-fare option is not allowed. Because these are purely seating coaches with no physical room to "share" a berth, every passenger (including children aged 5-11) must be booked with a full seat at the full adult fare.

 

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