IRCTC Partners With QCI for Food Safety Audits; Shares Fall 0.19%

Mumbai, October 16: Shares of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC) were trading 0.19% lower at ₹468.45 on Friday after the company announced a partnership with the Quality Council of India (QCI) for digital, third-party food safety and hygiene audits.

IRCTC Partners With QCI for Digital Food Safety Audits

Under the memorandum of understanding, QCI will deploy certified professionals to conduct unannounced quarterly and half-yearly inspections across IRCTC-managed onboard trains and static station catering units.

The audits will assess compliance with food safety regulations set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), along with international culinary standards.

The process will use QCI’s proprietary mobile application to capture geo-tagged, time-stamped and photographic evidence. Audit reports will be submitted within a strict 24-hour turnaround window, allowing operational gaps to be identified and corrective and preventive actions to be tracked.

The partnership will also focus on staff medical fitness, protective equipment, hygiene practices, sanitary storage and temperature-controlled meal holding. The agreement creates a framework for future initiatives, including passenger customer satisfaction surveys, infrastructure audits and specialised staff training.

Stock Market Snapshot

The IRCTC share price was trading 0.19% lower at ₹468.45 on Friday, October 16, 2026, compared with the previous close of ₹469.35. The stock opened at ₹469.35.

The partnership introduces a digital audit mechanism aimed at improving food safety oversight and vendor accountability across IRCTC’s catering network. Its effectiveness will depend on consistent inspections and timely corrective action.

About IRCTC

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd is a Navratna public sector company under the Ministry of Railways. It manages catering services across Indian Railways and also operates in railway tourism and related hospitality services.

Conclusion

IRCTC’s agreement with QCI aims to strengthen food safety and hygiene monitoring through independent inspections and digital reporting. The partnership covers onboard catering and station-based food services, with a focus on compliance, transparency and corrective action.

Source:

• https://www.nseindia.com/get-quote/equity/IRCTC/Indian-Railway-Catering-And-Tourism-Corporation-Limited
• https://nsearchives.nseindia.com/corporate/IRCTC_15102026194146_STXintimationpressrelease.pdf