In this guide
Indian Railways carries crores of passengers and a huge volume of goods every year. Every one of those journeys and consignments begins with a ticket or a booking, and all that money has to be collected, counted and accounted for. That is the work of the commercial department.
RRB NTPC recruits for two commercial posts:
| Post | Level | Starting basic | Qualification | Skill test | Medical (as reported) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor (CCTS) | 6 | ₹35,400 | Graduate | None | B-2 |
| Commercial cum Ticket Clerk (CCTC) | 3 | ₹21,700 | Class 12 | None | B-2 |
Neither post has a typing test or the CBAT. That makes them attractive to candidates who are strong in the CBTs but cannot type, or whose eyesight rules out the operating posts.
What the commercial department does
| Function | What it involves |
|---|---|
| Booking | Issuing unreserved tickets at counters through the Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) |
| Reservation | Issuing, changing and cancelling reserved tickets through the Passenger Reservation System (PRS) |
| Parcels and luggage | Booking parcels and luggage sent by train |
| Goods | Booking freight, preparing documents and dealing with traders |
| Ticket checking | Checking tickets on trains and at stations, where posted |
| Passenger services | Enquiries, complaints, refunds and concessions |
Much of this is now online, and passengers book many tickets themselves. Counters, parcels, goods sheds, refunds and ticket checking still need trained staff, and every rupee collected still needs someone accountable for it.
The Commercial cum Ticket Clerk's day
A CCTC typically works at a booking or reservation counter. On a normal shift, a clerk:
- opens the counter and checks the cash and ticket stock handed over;
- sells tickets and handles cash and digital payments;
- answers questions about trains, fares and quotas, often in two or three languages;
- processes cancellations and refunds under the rules;
- closes the shift by balancing cash against the system's figures and handing over.
Festivals, holidays and exam seasons bring long queues. Patience and accuracy under pressure matter more here than speed alone.
Worked example: balancing the cash
Suppose, hypothetically, a clerk starts a shift with a cash float of ₹5,000. During the shift the system records:
- cash ticket sales of ₹42,350;
- digital (UPI and card) sales of ₹18,600;
- cash refunds paid of ₹1,150.
What should be in the cash drawer at the end?
- Digital sales go straight to the bank, so they are not in the drawer.
- Expected cash = opening float + cash sales − cash refunds.
- Expected cash = 5,000 + 42,350 − 1,150 = ₹46,200.
- If the drawer holds ₹46,000, there is a shortage of ₹200.
Procedures for shortages differ, but as a rule the employee is accountable for them. That is why careful counting and checking notes at the window is a core habit, not a formality.
The Chief Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor
The CCTS post is three pay levels higher and carries more responsibility. Depending on the posting, a CCTS may:
- supervise a booking or reservation office and its staff;
- work in ticket checking or commercial inspection;
- handle complaints, refunds and rule-based decisions such as concessions and penalties;
- be responsible for the office's cash and its accounting.
In short, the clerk handles the counter; the supervisor answers for the office.
CCTS and CCTC compared
| CCTC | CCTS | |
|---|---|---|
| Level | 3 | 6 |
| Entry | Class 12 | Graduate |
| Main work | Counter sales, reservations, refunds | Supervision, inspection, rules, revenue |
| Responsibility | Own cash and counter | Office, staff and revenue |
| Typical setting | Station booking and reservation offices | Offices, trains and stations, by posting |
Skills that help
| Skill | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Accuracy with money | Shortages at the end of a shift fall on the employee |
| Patience | Crowded counters and stressed passengers |
| Basic computer use | Ticketing is fully computerised |
| Knowledge of rules | Fares, refunds, concessions and penalties |
| Language | Hindi, English and the local language all help |
Training
After selection, commercial staff train at a zonal training institute in commercial rules, fares, the ticketing systems, cash handling and passenger service, followed by practical work at stations. See our guide to training and joining.
Career growth
With experience and after clearing the required selections, commercial staff can rise to posts such as Commercial Inspector and other supervisory roles. Clerks can reach supervisor posts through promotion and departmental examinations.
Challenges and rewards
| Challenges | Rewards |
|---|---|
| Shifts and holiday rush | Mostly station-based work, often in towns and cities |
| Responsibility for cash | Daily contact with people |
| Occasional difficult passengers | A clear promotion ladder |
Quick self-check
- Which two ticketing systems do counter staff use?
- A shift starts with ₹3,000. Cash sales are ₹27,500, digital sales ₹9,800 and cash refunds ₹700. What cash should be in the drawer?
- Does either commercial post need a typing test?
- Which post is at Level 6?
Answers: 1. UTS for unreserved tickets and PRS for reservations. 2. 3,000 + 27,500 − 700 = ₹29,800; digital sales are not counted. 3. No. 4. Chief Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor.
What to do next
- Check the medical category of both posts in your CEN and compare it with your eye test.
- Decide whether you would rather face the public or work in an office; read about the clerk and accounts posts too.
- If you are a graduate, consider applying to the 10+2 notification as well, so CCTC is a second chance.
- Place both posts in your preference list using the method in our RRB and preferences guide.
A note on dates and numbers. Exam patterns, vacancies and schedules change from year to year. Always confirm the current details in the latest notification on the Railway Recruitment Boards website .
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