Complete Guide to Train Chart Preparation Time and Booking Rules
Train travel is the backbone of the Indian transportation system. Before every train journey, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) carries out train chart preparation for the benefits of the passengers.
But even after years of operation, there is still doubt and confusion regarding this service. Recently, Mr. Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Union Minister of Indian Railways announced some changes in train chart preparation time.
What is this service, why does the Indian railway publish this and what are the changes proposed by the Railway minister? In this blog, we are going to discuss all these questions in detail.
What Is Train Chart Preparation in Indian Railways?
Train chart preparation in Indian Railways is the process by which the final list of passengers for any train is released. In this process, railways transfer the vacant seats from various quotas like General, Tatkal, Senior Citizens, Ladies, Emergency Quota, etc. The seat allocation is based on the PNR Status of the passenger, be it Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC), Waiting List (WL), Tatkal Waiting List (TQWL), etc.
This train chart is stuck on the notice boards at the railway stations and even on the train coaches for the passengers to check before boarding. The chart mentions the list of passengers and provides important details such as passenger name, berth number, coach number, etc.
IRCTC Train Chart Preparation Time: When Is the Chart Prepared for Trains?
As mentioned above, the Minister of Indian Railways has announced certain changes in Train chart preparation time. The new rules which are going to kick in from July 2025, keeps the train chart preparation time eight hours before the time of train’s departure. The final chart would be prepared 30 minutes before the train’s departure.
Earlier, the chart was prepared twice, the first one four hours before departure and the second one thirty minutes before the departure. However, this rule was unfair towards the Waiting List passengers, as they had just four hours to look for alternative trains in case their ticket didn’t get confirmed.
With the new train chart preparation time, Waiting List passengers have much more space of eight hours to look and research for alternative trains. In case you got a Waiting list ticket which remained unconfirmed even after train chart preparation, you can use the Train Schedule service to pick the best alternative trains.
For trains departing after 02:00 PM, train chart preparation time is eight hours before the departure time. While for trains departing before 02:00 PM, the IRCTC train chart is prepared the night before at 09:00 PM. For trains operating in the early mornings, the chart is prepared the night before.
How to check Train Chart Preparation Time with RailMitra?
Train Chart Preparation Time is directly asssociated with Train departure timings, as it is prepared 8 hours before the train’s departure. You can easily check train’s departure timings and thus train chart preparation time with RailMitra’s Train Schedule service.
You can use the RailMitra website or download the dedicated Railway application available on Android as well as iOS. Just follow these simple steps:
- Go to RailMitra.com or install the application.
- Select Train Schedule option.
- Enter Train No. or Train Name
- Hit Check Train Schedule.
Train Schedule provides all the information related to a train’s journey which includes arrival/departure timings, halt duration, all the stations on the route, duration of the journey and much more.
Impact of Train Chart Preparation Time on Ticket Confirmation and PNR Status
The first train chart preparation time, i.e., eight hours before the departure time, is the best time to get Confirmation status, if you have been waitlisted. Since, most of the unfilled seats are opened up for allocation, this is the time when WL and RAC booking status look for confirmation.
Effects of train chart preparation time for different PNR Status:
- Confirmed Status: If you received a Confirmed Status, you will be allotted your seat and berth details. You can board the train seamlessly and comfortably.
- Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) Status: For RAC Status, if the tickets are available, then confirmation status is provided. If the confirmation is not provided, then RAC status holders need to share their berth with another RAC passenger.
- Waiting List (WL) Status: For Waiting List passengers, train chart preparation is the last time where they can have a credible chance of confirmation. If they get confirmation status here, they get the seat. If they are unable to get the confirmation status, then they should opt for alternative trains. This is because the waitlisted passengers are not allowed entry to any train coaches except the general coaches.
How to Check If the Train Chart Has Been Prepared
After you have booked the ticket, it is important to check if your chart has been prepared or not. Although checking the train chart at the station’s notice board and the railway coach is common, RailMitra offers a brand new digital approach to check if the chart has been prepared or not.
RailMitra’s PNR Status check is the service that provides us with the information related to chart preparation.
Just follow these simple and easy steps:
- Go to RailMitra.com or install the application.
- Select PNR Status option.
- Enter 10-digit PNR Number.
- Hit Check PNR Status button.
PNR Status will provide your booking status as well as whether your Train Chart has been prepared or not. RailMitra has a fast and efficient platform that allows you to check these services seamlessly. You can check these services on the RailMitra website as well as the dedicated application available on the Android as well as iOS.
Refunds and Cancellations After IRCTC Train Chart Preparation Time
Refunds and Cancellations of train tickets depend heavily on the IRCTC Chart Preparation time. Here is a detailed list of information based on different booking status:
Confirmed (CNF) Ticket:
A confirmed train ticket can be cancelled online 48 hours before the time of departure. During this period a minimum cancellation charge is charged which is shown as following:
- AC 1-tier/ Executive Class: ₹ 240
- AC 2-tier/ First Class: ₹ 200
- AC 3-tier/ 3A Economy: ₹ 180
- Sleeper Class: ₹ 120
- Second Class: ₹ 60
If the confirmed train ticket is cancelled online 48-24 hours before the train’s departure 25% of the fare subject to the minimum charges mentioned above is charged.
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If the confirmed train ticket is cancelled online 24-8 hours before the train’s departure 50% of the fare, subject to the minimum charges mentioned above, is charged.
If a confirmed train ticket is cancelled after the train chart preparation, the passenger must file a TDR to get the refund. Same goes for Confirmed train tickets booked at the railway counters where a TDR needs to be filed for cancellation after the IRCTC chart preparation time.
TDR stands for Ticket Deposit Receipt. This is a special request filed to the Indian Railways when a passenger is unable to travel due to some special circumstances.
Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) ticket:
RAC tickets when booked online can be cancelled with a minimal clerkage charge 30 minutes from the time of departure. After the lapse of this time period, passengers must file a TDR for refund.
Same goes for RAC tickets booked at the railway counters. Tickets can be cancelled with minimal clerkage charges 30 minutes from the time of departure. After that a TDR needs to be filed.
Waiting List (WL) ticket:
Waiting List tickets when booked online and unconfirmed are automatically cancelled and the refund initiated with minimal clerkage charges. When the waiting list ticket is booked offline, it needs to be cancelled 30 minutes before the time of the departure. After the lapse of this period, a TDR needs to be filed.
Tatkal Ticket:
Confirmed Tatkal tickets cannot be cancelled. No refund is provided if you cancel a confirmed tatkal ticket.
Waiting List tatkal tickets are automatically cancelled if remain unconfirmed. For an offline booked Tatkla Waiting ticket, cancellation needs to be done at the counter 30 minutes before the time of departure. After the lapse of this time period, a TDR needs to be filed.
For RAC Tatkal tickets, cancellation is allowed 30 minutes before the time of departure for both: online as well as counter tickets. After this period a TDR needs to be filed.
You can use RailMitra live train running status service to track your train’s most updated timings. This includes live station, updated arrival/departure timings and even the platform number on which the train will arrive.
Conclusion
Train chart preparation helps the passengers in finalising their booking status. Most of the booking confirmation during this time when the chart is prepared. The new updates to these rules is aimed at smoothening the travel process for waitlisted passengers.
Whether you have a confirmed ticket, RAC ticket or have been waitlisted, train chart preparation remains important for everyone. RailMitra provides you the best rail services to check whether the chart has been prepared or not without even visiting the train counter.
So, the next time you are about to board a train keep this guide handy. This guide will help in all of your queries related to train chart preparation time and rules.
FAQs on Train Chart Preparation Time
Q. When chart is prepared for train?
Ans. Train chart preparation takes place eight hours before the time of departure for train running after 02 PM. For train departing before this time, chart is prepared the night before at 09 PM.