Strategic Flexibility of IRCTC in Commercialization of Indian Railways

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC), a public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Railways, was established to commercialize Indian Railways. Since its establishment, catering services became its key source of business. In July 2010, the Ministry of Railways announced a new mandate. The mandate was a serious jolt for IRCTC. Besides losing a major revenue source, IRCTC was also directed to revamp itself completely. The case majorly focuses on the strategy adopted by it to revamp and recover the loss occurring from the revised policy of the ministry. The case also describes the strategic initiatives taken by IRCTC while discharging the new mandate of the year 2010.