Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has reported a steady set of numbers for the third quarter of the financial year. The company posted a net profit of ₹395 crore, which is 15% higher than the same quarter last year. The improvement came mainly from better performance across ticketing, catering and tourism businesses.
The board approved the Q3 results at its meeting held on 12 February 2026. Along with the earnings announcement, a second interim dividend of ₹3.50 per equity share was declared. The record date for the dividend has been fixed as 20 February 2026. The move signals that the company is comfortable with its current cash flows and overall financial position.
Revenue from operations recorded double digit growth year-on-year during the quarter. Strong passenger traffic, festive season travel and stable online booking volumes supported the top line. The online ticketing segment continued to remain the largest contributor to income, as a large number of railway passengers prefer booking through the digital platform.
Convenience fee collections and other service-related charges added to earnings. Even though competition in digital services is increasing, IRCTC still holds a dominant position in railway ticket booking.
Catering business also performed better compared to last year. On-board catering services in trains and food plazas at railway stations saw improved sales. The company has also been expanding retail presence at stations, partnering with known food brands and offering more packaged items. This helped in increasing non-ticketing revenue, which is important for long-term stability.
Tourism segment showed gradual recovery as well. Demand for packaged tours, pilgrimage trains and customized travel services improved. Travel sentiment has normalised after earlier disruptions, which supported bookings in this segment.
Despite higher operating expenses, profitability remained stable. Costs have increased due to inflation and expansion of services, but revenue growth outpaced the rise in expenses. Profit before tax moved up in line with income growth. Depreciation and finance costs remained under control during the quarter.
The 15% increase in net profit to ₹395 crore indicates that operational performance has improved compared to last year. While expenses are rising gradually, the company has been able to manage them reasonably well.
The declaration of a ₹3.50 interim dividend shows confidence in cash generation. IRCTC has maintained healthy reserves over recent quarters, which gives room for such payouts. The balance sheet remains comfortable with limited debt burden.
Regular cash inflow from core operations such as ticketing and catering provides stability. Even after dividend distribution, the company is expected to retain sufficient earnings for expansion and modernization initiatives.
Going forward, focus will remain on diversification of revenue streams beyond ticketing. Growth in catering services, premium tourism packages and station retail initiatives could support earnings in the coming quarters. Cost control will also be important, as rising operational expenses can impact margins if not monitored carefully.
Overall, the Q3 results reflect steady progress. Net profit rose 15% year-on-year to ₹395 crore, revenue recorded double digit growth, and shareholders will recieve a ₹3.50 interim dividend. The performance show stability in operations, though future quarters will depends on demand trends and expense management.
The numbers suggest positive momentum, even if some challenges remains in certain areas.