- Home
- Ticket Collector
Who is a Ticket Collector?
The trains always arrive at your station. The question is which one to take? ~Mehmet Murat Ildan
A Ticket Collector is a professional who is responsible for collecting, checking and verifying the tickets of passengers travelling on public transport. An individual in this career is required to check tickets for reserved and unreserved coaches, and platforms and manage the enquiry counter at the railway station. A Ticket Collector is appointed by the Indian Railway Recruitment Board.
The Ticket Collector is expected to handle the ticket related issues such as imposing fines if someone violates the rules and travelling without buying a ticket or has lost it, pulls the railway alarm, and not only that an individual in this career ensures the overall safety and security of the passengers during their journey.
Ticket Collector in a Nutshell
A Ticket Collector (TC) in Indian Railways plays a vital role in ensuring smooth and secure train operations. They are responsible for verifying passengers' tickets, managing seat allocations, and maintaining order within the train compartments. Additionally, TCs handle passenger inquiries, assist with issues like lost tickets, and ensure that railway rules are followed. Their duties also include addressing complaints related to onboard facilities and ensuring the safety and comfort of travellers throughout their journey.
Quick Facts for Ticket Collector
-
Average Salary in India
₹61775
-
Suitable for
Male, Female, Others
A career as a ticket collector is not gender restricted. Anyone can opt for a ticket collector career regardless of gender. The ticket collector career is dominated by males but females can also take up this career.
-
Any special needs
Yes
A career as a ticket collector is suitable for candidates with One Leg (OL), One Arm (OA), Muscular Weaknesses (MW), Low Vision (LV) and those who are Hearing Handicapped (HH). The ticket collector job is considered as stressful as it demands physical strength to perform daily activities efficiently, passionate candidates can succeed in this career.
Table of Contents for Ticket Collector
What is the role of Ticket Collector?
A Ticket Collector plays a vital frontline role in the Indian Railways, ensuring smooth and lawful passenger travel. These professionals are responsible for safeguarding revenue by verifying that every commuter carries a valid ticket. Those found travelling without one are fined, with charges documented and processed by the collector.
Their duties go beyond ticket inspection. Ticket Collectors are tasked with identifying invalid, outdated, or tampered tickets, and maintaining meticulous records of such incidents. They check for excess baggage, unauthorised items, and ensure passengers comply with railway rules.
In addition, Ticket Collectors assist with public enquiries, help reserve seats ahead of departures, and support the overall orderliness of train travel. Their presence not only enforces rules but also provides guidance and reassurance to travellers throughout their journey.
Allotment of Vacant Seats
The ticket collector roles and responsibilites are to ensure the vacant unallotted seats in sleeper coach remain folded or hinged for allotment to other passengers. He or she allows the vacant seats on intermediate stations on a first come first serve basis or priority of the waiting list.
Providing FIR Form
The ticket collector job description includes providing blank FIR forms to passengers in case they become victims of theft of luggage, mobile or cash. These forms are filled and submitted to the next GRP Post at the scheduled station.
Respond to Complaints
The role of a ticket collector is to take action for the complaints of passengers regarding non-working fans, lights or lamps, water leakage from the tap and other facilities and get them rectified.
Providing Assistance
A ticket collector's job also includes providing assistance to passengers and facilitating them with food, water and other refreshments in the train included in their journey and that has been charged on the ticket.
Ensuring Security
A ticket collector ensures that allotment of the birth exclusively set aside for ladies is occupied by ladies only. He or she prevents men from such accommodation and also ensures the end doors of vestibular trains are locked from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am hours.
Types of a Ticket Collector
There are several types of ticket collectors with different job roles. We have provided below some of the common types of ticket collector or career options related to it with their job descriptions.
Bus Conductor: A bus conductor is a professional who is responsible for collecting fares and issuing tickets to passengers. He or she often announces the upcoming destinations and ensures the safety of the passengers.
Airline Ticket Agent: An Airline ticket agent books flight tickets and handles reservations for customers. He or she resolves the queries of the customers by interacting with them directly. An airline ticket agent updates them about seat availability, schedule, fare and reservations.
What is the workplace/work environment of Ticket Collector like?
The work environment of a Ticket Collector is office-based and fieldwork. He or she has the responsibility of ensuring that no person enters the train without the authorised ticket and the luggage exceeding the free allowance must be paid. A Ticket Collector is also required to be in the office to prepare charge sheets, verify the blank paper tickets and solve the reserved seat queries of the people.
Does Ticket Collector require travelling?
Likely
A ticket conductor job demands travelling frequently. He or she has to get onto the train, inspect the coaches and ensure each passenger possesses the authorised ticket for the journey. He or she gets down to the destination or next station as per the inspection duties assigned to him or her.
Time Pressure
Likely
There is an extreme pressure on the ticket collector. He or she has to deal with the bad elements in the train who violate the law and create a nuisance. A ticket collector also has to ensure the safety of the passengers. He or she has to reach before the train departures and ensure the end gates of the vestibule coaches are closed at night hours.
How to become a Ticket Collector?
Steps to become a Ticket Collector
A Ticket Collector is an official responsible for checking, confirming and collecting tickets from passengers travelling on public transport. If you have a passion for serving people and ensuring the smooth functioning of train operations, and thinking about how to become a ticket collector in the railway then below we have provided step-by-step guidance.
What are the skills and qualities required to become a/an Ticket Collector?
To become a ticket collector an individual is required to possess some of the skill set that is essential to perform day-to-day tasks efficiently. In this section, we have discussed ticket collector skills.
Communication Skills: A ticket collector is responsible for effectively communicating with the passengers. He or she has to ask them to show the tickets and apply a penalty to those who did not provide tickets. Apart from this a ticket collector must oversee the reserved seat allotments and ensure the security of the passengers.
Adaptability Skills: A ticket collector has to travel from station to station on the train and interact with passengers in the coaches. He or she has to move inside the train from coach to coach to ensure each passenger has his or her ticket. A ticket conductor checks tickets on station platforms, therefore a ticket collector must be able to adapt to the changes in the work.
Customer Service Skills: A ticket collector is often required to resolve the queries of passengers and interact with them efficiently, facilitating them with the train refreshments. An individual in the ticket collector career path provides the details regarding the ticket, fare, schedule of the train, and seat allotment and helps them in locating the train platform.
Organising Skills: A ticket collector has to carry the document which has the booking status of each passenger boarding the ticket. He or she checks the ticket based on the document and ensures the right person is boarding the train. He or she may also check the individual's ID proof.
Which certifications and internships can be helpful in becoming Ticket Collector?
Internship Availability
Individuals who qualify RRB examination are selected for the role of ticket collector and provided with accurate training by the railway department.
Ticket Collector Jobs and Salaries
Senior Ticket Examiner
- Average Salary 61775
Job Description
A senior ticket collector role comes with the responsibility of travelling on the train and ensuring rules are followed by each passenger on the train. He or she has to ensure the safety of passengers and that the gates of vestibular are closed between 12:00 am to 6:00 am for first-class AC coaches and 10: 00 am to 6: 00 pm for second-class sleeper coaches.
Salary Description
A senior ticket examiner's salary in India is Rs 61,775 per month according to the Glassdoor source.
Travelling Ticket Inspector
Job Description
A travelling ticket inspector is responsible for preventing the entry of unauthorised people inside the train including those who have only platform tickets. He or she ensures the luggage does not exceed the prescribed dimensions causing inconvenience to other passengers. A ticket inspector ensures that vacant seats are allotted to passengers on a first come first serve basis or priority of waiting list.
Chief Ticket Inspector
Indian Railways
Permanent
Job Description
A chief ticket inspector is a professional who is responsible for taking action on complaints of passengers such as malfunctioning fans, lights, lamps, water leakage or other related complaints and rectifying them. He or she ensures the cleanliness of carriages.
What is the job outlook for Ticket Collector?
In India, central and state government jobs, including the role of a Ticket Collector (TC) in the Indian Railways, are highly sought after due to their long-term job security, steady income, and post-retirement benefits such as pensions and medical coverage. This makes the position attractive to millions of aspirants.
A Ticket Collector begins their career at the entry level, but with experience and departmental exams, they can advance to higher roles such as Senior Ticket Collector, Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE), Chief Ticket Inspector, and even Station Master or supervisory positions within the commercial department. The promotional hierarchy depends on performance, years of service, and success in internal exams.
Despite the perks, this career is highly competitive. Every year, lakhs of candidates prepare for the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) examinations, while vacancies remain limited. This makes cracking the exam challenging but rewarding.
Frequently Asked Questions for Ticket Collector
Que. Who is a Ticket Collector?
Ans.A Ticket Collector (TC) is a railway employee responsible for checking passengers' tickets on trains and platforms, ensuring that all travellers hold valid tickets and imposing penalties on defaulters.
Que. What qualifications are required to become a Ticket Collector?
Ans.You must have passed Class 10 or 12 from a recognised board. Eligibility varies slightly by recruitment cycle. You must also clear the RRB-conducted recruitment exam.
Que. What is the age limit to apply for the Ticket Collector post?
Ans.The general age limit is 18 to 30 years. However, candidates from SC/ST, OBC, and other reserved categories get age relaxation as per government rules.
Que. How can I become a Ticket Collector in Indian Railways?
Ans.You need to apply for the RRB (Railway Recruitment Board) exam, qualify the written test, and clear medical and document verification processes.
Que. Is work experience required to apply for this job?
Ans.No, prior experience is not mandatory. Freshers who meet the eligibility criteria and clear the RRB exam can apply for the Ticket Collector post.
Que.
Ans.The average salary for a TT is Rs 73,806 per month in India according to Glassdoor source.
Que.
Ans.To become a TC, you are required to clear the 10th class, register for RRB examinations prepare for the examination and appear and clear the examination. The examination contains 150 questions regarding General Knowledge, Maths, English and aptitude tests. You are required to prepare the general aptitude, communication and numerics-related topics.
You might also be interested in
Select your reason of reporting
Explore Related Careers
Did you know?
Fact 1
The job of a ticket collector dates back to the 19th century, emerging with the advent of passenger rail travel in Europe
Fact 2
Indian Railways employs over 10,000 ticket collectors, managing over 23 million passengers daily.
Fact 3
In the UK, the role evolved into ‘Revenue Protection Officer’ post-privatisation of British Rail in the 1990s.
Fact 4
During major Indian festivals, ticket collectors process 2–3 times more passengers, often handling crowd control alongside ticket checks.
