Commercial Branch

STBA Scheme - Overview

• Station Ticket Booking Agents (STBA) are engaged by Railways at identified stations to support timely disbursal of unreserved tickets in addition to Railway ticket counters.

1. Operational Framework

• Only one STBA is permitted per station.
• Tickets are issued at the station counter, and the agent must deposit the entire cash collected with the SS/SM/CBS/CRS on duty at:
• 06:00 hours
• 14:00 hours
• 22:00 hours

Rights & Restrictions

• The STBA cannot sublet, assign, or transfer rights or obligations.
• With prior approval of Sr.DCM, the STBA may nominate an additional person for ticket sales.
• Identity cards will be issued by Sr.DCM to the STBA and nominated persons.

Ticketing Authority

STBA may issue:

• All non-concessional unreserved tickets
• Platform tickets
• Season tickets via the UTS system

Concessional tickets (students, physically challenged, etc.) require:

• Valid documentary proof
• Endorsement and permission of SS/SM/CBS or CRS on duty

Special Facilities

2. Payment of Commission to STBA

• The Railway Administration pays commission from Station Earnings, based on actual fare collected.

Commission structure

Slab	Sales Turnover (₹)	Commission Payable
Slab 1	Up to 20,000	25% (Minimum ₹2,500)
Slab 2	20,000 – 1,00,000	15%
Slab 3	Above 1,00,000	4% for SG-3 & NSG-6 stations or the quoted rate, whichever is lower

Additional Financial Terms

• Commission is calculated monthly on net sales.
• For concessional tickets, commission is based on actual fare collected.
• Income Tax (TDS) will be deducted as per Section 194-H of the Income Tax Act, 1961, in line with prevailing Government norms.

3. Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Resident of the local Block / Tehsil / Mandal of the station applied for (Relaxation possible if no suitable local candidate is available)
• Minimum age: 18 years on the date of tender opening
• Educational qualification: Pass in Class X

Must produce a Police Verification Certificate confirming:

• No criminal record
• No pending criminal cases

Applicant or nominated agent must not be an ex-Railway employee dismissed or removed for reasons of doubtful integrity

4. How to Apply

i. Application Process

• Download the Application Form and Tender Document from www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in
• All pages of the tender document must be signed and enclosed.
• Any corrigendum issued must also be signed and attached.
• Applications without signatures or required enclosures are liable for rejection.
• Applications must be submitted in the prescribed proforma.



ii. Fees & Deposits

Cost of Tender Form

• Demand Draft: ₹1,120
• Payable to: Financial Adviser and Chief Accounts Officer, Chennai Division, Southern Railway, Chennai – 600 003
• DD / Money Receipt (original) must be enclosed



Earnest Money Deposit (EMD)

S. No	Station Category	EMD Amount (₹)
1	SG-3	5000
2	NSG-6	2000




EMD to be paid:

• In cash at Senior Divisional Cashier (Pay), NGO Annexe, or
• Through Demand Draft from a nationalized bank


• Original receipt / DD must be enclosed.
• Applications without Tender Cost and EMD will be summarily rejected.
• One recent passport-size colour photograph must be pasted on the application
• Applications without photograph will be rejected.
• Completed application with all enclosures should be sealed and superscribed as:
  “Application for engagement as M-UTS Sahayak at Station __________________”.
• Addressed to: Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Chennai Division, 2nd Floor, NGO Annexe, Southern Railway, Park Town, Chennai – 600003
• Applications must be dropped in the designated box between 10:00 hrs and 15:00 hrs on 26.11.2025. Applications received after 15:00 hrs will not be entertained.
• The covers will be opened on the same day at 15:30 hrs in the presence of applicants (if present).
• Applicants can apply for only one station. Multiple applications will be rejected. A declaration must be submitted confirming non-engagement as STBA at any other station.

5. Method of Selection

• Applications received within the stipulated time will be scrutinized.
• Eligible candidates will be shortlisted for appointment.
• Eligible candidates will be shortlisted for appointment.



Maximum allowable commission

• SG-3 Stations: 4%
• NSG-6 Stations: 6%


• Applicants quoting less than the maximum permissible rate will be considered.
• If more than one applicant quotes the same minimum rate, selection will be made by draw of lots.

Applicant or nominated agent must not be an ex-Railway employee dismissed or removed for reasons of doubtful integrity

Post-Selection Condition

• If a selected STBA expresses inability to operate the counter, the Fixed Deposit Receipt (FDR) and Security Deposit submitted will be forfeited.

6. Duration of Contract

• The contract period will commence from the date of appointment.
• A formal agreement will be executed between the STBA and the Railways.

7. Security Deposit

A refundable Security Deposit must be paid as follows:

Station Category	Security Deposit
SG-3	₹25,000
NSG-6	₹10,000




Payment & Adjustment

• Payment to be made via Demand Draft in favour of: Financial Adviser and Chief Accounts Officer, Chennai Division, Southern Railway, Chennai – 600 003
• Or through Nationalized Bank at the station.



Deposit may be adjusted against:

• Commission termination dues
• Outstanding balances
• Remaining amount, if any, will be refunded.
• Security deposit may be enhanced if considered necessary based on sales at the station.
• If the STBA fails to operate after selection, both FDR and Security Deposit shall be forfeited.

Termination Clause

• The contract may be terminated by either party by giving 30 days’ notice.
• The Railway Administration reserves the right to terminate the contract without assigning any reason and without prior notice.

Appointment of STBA – Nature of Engagement

• Appointment as STBA does not confer any right to Railway employment.
• The engagement is purely contractual.



No entitlement to:

• Absorption into Railway service
• Regularization
• Bonus
• Railway passes or facilities

Penalty Clause

• If ticket activity stops due to non-availability or negligence of STBA, resulting in:
• Non-functioning of equipment


• A penalty equal to the average daily turnover from UTS ticket sales will be imposed, subject to:
• Minimum: ₹2,000 per day
• Maximum: ₹5,500 per day
Penalties may also be imposed based on established public complaints regarding STBA functioning.

Important Notes

• If the date of receipt of applications is declared a holiday, the receipt date will be extended to the next working day.
• The Railway Administration’s decision in all matters related to:
• Eligibility
• Acceptance of applications
• Selection
• shall be final and binding.
• No enquiries or correspondence will be entertained in this regard.
• The Railway Administration does not accept responsibility for replying to applicants who are not selected.