Everything you need to know about IRCTC ticket booking rules and policies
Indian Railways allows passengers to book train tickets up to 60 days in advance through IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation). The advance booking period helps passengers plan their journey well in advance and secure confirmed reservations.
Train ticket booking starts at 8:00 AM IST every day for the tickets that become available for booking. This train booking date calculator helps you determine exactly when you can start booking tickets for your desired journey date.
Book train tickets online up to 60 days before your journey date through IRCTC official website.
New booking dates open at 8:00 AM IST every day. Set reminders for popular routes.
The booking date is calculated from when the train starts from its originating station.
Once booking opens, you can book tickets online through IRCTC 24/7 until sold out.
You can book train tickets through IRCTC online and offline at PRS counters. Here are the comprehensive booking times:
IRCTC website/app and authorized partners like redRail, EaseMyTrip
Computerized Passenger Reservation System counters at railway stations
Emergency booking for last-minute travel
10:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Tatkal booking for AC classes (1AC, 2AC, 3AC, CC)
11:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Tatkal booking for Non-AC classes (Sleeper, 2S)
IRCTC cancellation charges for train tickets vary based on how far in advance the cancellation is made and the type of ticket. For confirmed tickets, cancellation charges increase as the departure time approaches. For Tatkal tickets, refunds are generally not provided. Refund rules also apply for RAC and waitlisted tickets.
A flat cancellation charge applies, depending on the class. For example, Rs 240 + GST for AC First Class, Rs 200 + GST for AC 2 Tier/First Class, Rs 180 + GST for AC 3 Tier/AC Chair car/AC 3 Economy, Rs 120 for Sleeper Class and Rs 60 for Second Class.
25% of the fare is deducted, subject to the minimum cancellation charge.
50% of the fare is deducted, subject to the minimum cancellation charge.
No refund is granted.
Generally, no refund is granted for Tatkal tickets, except in specific situations like train cancellation. However, Tatkal waitlisted tickets may have a nominal charge of Rs 60 for 3AC and Rs 65 per person for 2AC.
If cancelled up to 30 minutes before the train's scheduled departure, a refund will be processed after deducting the clerkage charge. No refund is granted if cancellation is requested less than 30 minutes before departure.
Cancellation charges are per passenger.
GST is applicable on cancellation charges for AC classes.
E-tickets cannot be cancelled after chart preparation. You need to file a TDR (Ticket Deposit Receipt) for a refund.
For I-tickets (paper tickets), surrender the ticket with the Station Master and obtain a TDR for refund processing.
In case of train cancellation by the railway, full refund is permissible if the ticket is cancelled within three days of the scheduled departure.