The Indian Railways has made a significant change to its ticket reservation rules. Now, train tickets can only be booked 60 days in advance instead of the earlier 120 days.
This new rule will come into effect from November 1, 2024. However, reservations made until October 31 under the previous rule will remain unaffected. The Railways did not provide any explanation for this move.
Starting November 1, 2024, the advance reservation period will be 60 days (excluding the day of travel), and bookings will be made accordingly.
All bookings made under the 120-day advance reservation period until October 31, 2024, will remain valid.
However, bookings made outside the 60-day advance reservation period will be allowed to be canceled. Additionally, this change will not affect trains that already have a shorter advance reservation period, such as the Gomti Express and Taj Express, which currently have a limited advance booking window.
For foreign tourists, the 365-day advance booking rule will also remain unchanged.
Previously, people had the opportunity to book tickets 120 days in advance, which allowed for timely bookings and provided ample time for securing confirmed tickets for travel.
However, with the new 60-day limit, there is likely to be a rush for bookings, leading to reduced chances of confirmation for waiting tickets. On routes in Purvanchal and Bihar, reservations often fill up four months in advance.
To make ticket booking easier and ensure that everyone can obtain tickets, the railway is making consistent efforts. There is an ongoing campaign against individuals who illegally book tickets. The railway's focus remains on simplifying services further.
