IRCTC Makes Big Changes In Train Reservation Rules Ahead, Details You Must Know

Info: Effective November 1, 2024, Indian Railways will significantly reduce the advance booking period for train tickets from 120 days to 60 days. This change aims to improve seat allocation efficiency and potentially increase ticket confirmation rates.

"It has been decided that w.e.f 01.11.2024, the existing time limit for advance reservation by trains will be reduced from 120 days to 60 days (excluding the date of journey)," a Railway Board's circular, dated Oct 16, 2024, said.

All bookings done up to October 31 under the ARP (Advance Reservation Period) of 120 days will remain intact, it added. The circular however did not cite any reason for the reduction in ARP.

According to the Board, cancellation of the booking made beyond the ARP of 60 days will, however, be permitted.

"There will be no change in the case of certain day time express trains like Taj Express, Gomti Express etc where lower time limits for advance reservation are, at present in force," the Board's circular said.

There will also be no change in the case of a limit of 365 days for foreign tourists, it said.

Indian Railways Advance Booking

Trains which run on shorter distance, which already have shorter booking periods, will remain unaffected. However, bookings made before November 1 will not be impacted by the new rule.

Key Points:

Reduced Advance Booking Period: Starting from November 1, 2024, passengers can book IRCTC train tickets only 60 days in advance of the train's departure.
Exceptions: Certain daytime express trains and bookings made before November 1 will not be affected.
Foreign Tourists: The 365-day booking limit for foreign tourists remains unchanged.
Increased Passenger Traffic: Indian Railways aims to carry 7.5 billion passengers in 2024-25, a 9% increase from the previous year.
AI-Driven Optimisation: An AI model has increased confirmed IRCTC ticket rates by over 30% by optimising seat allocation based on real-time occupancy.

Implications of the Reduced Booking Period:

Increased Competition: Passengers may need to be more strategic in their booking plans, especially for popular routes during peak travel seasons.
Potential for Higher Rail Ticket Prices: Reduced availability could lead to increased demand and potentially higher ticket prices.
Benefits of AI Optimisation: The use of AI technology can improve the efficiency of seat allocation and potentially reduce waitlist numbers.
Overall, the reduced advance booking period is a significant change for Indian Railways passengers. While it may present some challenges, the implementation of AI-driven optimisation could help mitigate some of the potential negative impacts.

Road Ahead

Indian Railways is aiming to carry 7.5 billion passengers in 2024–25, a 9% increase from the previous year.

The Railways is utilising AI models to optimise seat allocation and improve confirmation rates. After analysing seat occupancy patterns, the AI can identify stations with higher vacancy rates and reallocate seats accordingly. This approach is expected to lead to a significant increase in confirmed tickets.

On March 25, 2015, the Ministry of Railways had increased the ARP from 60 days to 120 days.