Train Booking Timelines: Advance Reservation, Tatkal and Chart Preparation

For most trains, reservations open 60 days before the date of journey, not counting the journey date itself. This window was shortened from 120 days in November 2024. A small number of trains have a shorter window, so confirm the period for your train. Online reservations for a day normally open at 8:00 AM IST.

Tatkal is a last-minute quota that opens one day before the journey and carries an extra charge. Booking opens at 10:00 AM for AC classes and 11:00 AM for non-AC classes.

• Tatkal is not available in First AC (1A) or Executive Chair Car (EC).
• Tatkal charges are generally not refunded if you cancel a confirmed Tatkal ticket.
• Since July 2025, booking Tatkal online requires an Aadhaar-authenticated IRCTC account.
• Authorised agents are not allowed to book Tatkal during the first 30 minutes of each window.
• Counter procedures have been changing, with OTP checks and a token system introduced. Check IRCTC's current Tatkal FAQ before relying on any detail.

Charts decide who gets which berth. There are two stages.

• First chart: prepared several hours before departure. Its timing has been revised recently and depends on the train's departure time, so check the official notice for your train.
• Final chart: prepared about 30 minutes before departure. The status after it is final.

After charting, berths that are still empty can be booked as current tickets until shortly before departure. Railways has also recently allowed boarding-point changes until around the final chart.

An e-ticket that is still waitlisted after the final chart is cancelled automatically and refunded. If you are travelling for something important, decide on a backup (another train, class or date) before the final chart, not after.

1. 1Count 60 days back from your journey date to find the opening day, and be ready at 8:00 AM.
2. 2If the train is full, check seat availability for nearby dates and trains.
3. 3For last-minute travel, remember Tatkal opens the day before, at 10:00 or 11:00 AM depending on the class.
4. 4If you are waitlisted, track the movement and plan a backup before the chart is prepared.