Festival Special Trains Calendar
Onam, Ganesh Chaturthi, Navratri, Durga Puja, Diwali and Chhath Puja — dates and what to expect from each.
Read GuideWhen the next Tatkal window opens, what cancelling will actually cost you, and what your waitlist number really means — worked out below rather than buried three clicks away. Plus 70 in-depth guides to IRCTC and Indian Railways.
An independent, plain-language companion to booking and traveling on Indian Railways — not affiliated with IRCTC or Indian Railways. We cover the practical detail that's easy to miss on the official portal: Tatkal timing and refund rules, Mumbai's local train network and metro connections, and the seasonal rush around major festivals and pilgrimages.
Read more about who's behind this siteThese run on your device against published Indian Railways rules. Nothing is sent anywhere, and none of it needs a login.
Tatkal opens one day before departure — 10:00 AM for AC classes, 11:00 AM for non-AC. This counts down in Indian Standard Time wherever you are.
Loading the IST clock…
Before you queue: Tatkal rules, limits and timing tips
The four tables that answer the bulk of IRCTC questions. Rules change — check irctc.co.in before anything time-sensitive.
Booking opens one day before the journey date (D-1), at these IST times.
| Class | Opens |
|---|---|
| 1A, 2A, 3A, CC, EC (AC) | 10:00 AM |
| SL, 2S (non-AC) | 11:00 AM |
Maximum 4 passengers per PNR (6 under general quota), at least one adult, and original ID proof is mandatory for one traveller. No senior-citizen or child concessions apply. Aadhaar-OTP authentication is now required to book Tatkal online. Tatkal guide · counter token system
Per passenger, more than 72 hours before departure. Closer to departure, 25% (72–24h) or 50% (24–8h) of the fare applies instead when that exceeds the flat rate. Windows widened from 48/12/4 hours in April 2026.
| Class | Flat charge |
|---|---|
| 1A / Executive Class | ₹240 |
| 2A / First Class | ₹200 |
| 3A / 3E / Chair Car | ₹180 |
| Sleeper | ₹120 |
| Second Sitting | ₹60 |
Under 8 hours before departure, a confirmed ticket earns no refund. RAC and waitlisted tickets are different — ₹60 clerkage per passenger, cancellable up to 30 minutes before departure. GST applies on AC-class charges. Refund rules in full
At the same number, the prefix decides your odds. GNWL sits ahead of the rest in the allocation order.
| Code | What it is |
|---|---|
| GNWL | General — from the originating station. Best odds. |
| RLWL | Remote location — an intermediate boarding point. Slower. |
| PQWL | Pooled quota, shared across several stations. Weaker. |
| TQWL | Tatkal quota. Moves only on Tatkal cancellations. |
| RAC | Not a waitlist — you can board, sharing a side-lower berth. |
A fully waitlisted e-ticket is cancelled automatically after chart preparation and refunded; you cannot board on it. Confirmation chances by number
Chart preparation is the moment a waitlisted or RAC ticket resolves.
| Chart | Prepared |
|---|---|
| First chart | ~4 hours before scheduled departure |
| Early-morning trains | The night before |
| Second chart | ~30 minutes before departure |
The second chart picks up last-minute cancellations and bookings, so late movement is normal — check again after it. Chart preparation explained · how to check PNR status
New guides and articles as they go up, newest first.
Festival and pilgrimage demand is on specific routes right now — here's what's actually confirmed, and what to do if your ticket doesn't clear.
Onam, Ganesh Chaturthi, Navratri, Durga Puja, Diwali and Chhath Puja — dates and what to expect from each.
Read GuideNo direct train reaches any of the four shrines — here's the actual railhead-to-shrine route for each.
Read GuidePeak-season waitlists rarely clear. VIKALP moves you to a confirmed berth on another train at no extra fare — if you opt in at booking.
Read GuideOr search from the top of the page if you already know what you're after.
Quick answers to the most common IRCTC questions.
No, this is an independent informational website providing guides and tips for IRCTC services. We are NOT affiliated with IRCTC or Indian Railways. For official bookings, visit irctc.co.in.
Visit the official IRCTC website (irctc.co.in), create an account, search for trains, select your preferred train, fill passenger details, and make payment. Check our detailed guide for step-by-step instructions.
Tatkal booking opens at 10:00 AM for AC classes and 11:00 AM for non-AC classes, one day before the journey date. Be ready with all details filled and payment method ready. Learn more in our Tatkal booking guide.
You can check PNR status on the IRCTC website, mobile app, or via SMS by sending your 10-digit PNR number to 139. Our PNR status guide explains all methods.
More than 72 hours before departure, a flat charge applies per passenger — ₹240 (1A/EC), ₹200 (2A/FC), ₹180 (3A/3E/CC), ₹120 (Sleeper) or ₹60 (2S). From 72 to 24 hours it becomes 25% of the fare, and from 24 to 8 hours 50%, with that flat rate as the minimum in each case. Under 8 hours, there is no refund. These windows widened from 48/12/4 hours in April 2026. RAC and waitlisted tickets carry ₹60 clerkage instead. Work out your own figure with the cancellation calculator above, or read the full refund rules guide.