Indian Railways May Prepare Chart 8 Hours Before Train Departure

The Indian Railways is considering a major change in its ticketing system by preparing the reservation chart 8 hours before train departure, instead of the current 4-hour timeline. This move is part of a broader set of reforms aimed at improving the passenger booking experience and reservation transparency.

Chart to Be Prepared Earlier

As per the proposed update, for trains departing before 2 PM, the reservation chart will now be prepared the previous day at 9 PM. This change is expected to provide greater clarity for passengers with waitlisted tickets, giving them more time to make alternate travel arrangements.

Currently, the final reservation chart is issued four hours before the train's departure, often leaving passengers, especially those traveling from suburban or remote areas, with limited time to plan if their tickets remain unconfirmed.

Passenger Benefits

The updated reservation timeline offers several advantages:

Early update on waitlist status

More time for alternate arrangements if not confirmed

Convenience for passengers traveling from distant or rural areas

Improved transparency and reduced last-minute confusion

Upgraded PRS: New Booking System Goes Live from July 1

Alongside charting changes, Indian Railways is launching an upgraded Passenger Reservation System (PRS) developed by Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS). The new system goes live on July 1, 2025 and brings significant changes, especially for Tatkal bookings.

Tatkal Ticket Booking Gets Stricter

From July 1, only authenticated users will be allowed to book Tatkal tickets via the IRCTC website. Authentication will require OTP-based verification using:

Aadhaar card

Any government-issued ID available via DigiLocker

This step aims to eliminate misuse and enhance user authenticity during peak-hour bookings.

What's New in the PRS?

The upgraded PRS will be:

• Agile and scalable, handling 10x the current load
• Capable of processing over 1.5 lakh bookings per minute (up from 32,000)
• Available in multiple languages
• Designed for ease of access for Divyangjan, students, and patients
• Allows seat preference selection and includes a fare calendar
• Supports secure login and booking process

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently reviewed the system's development and upcoming rollout. The ministry confirms that this is part of Indian Railways' commitment to a tech-first, passenger-friendly approach.