Complete List Of Quotas For IRCTC Train Ticket Booking

If you have ever tried train ticket booking you must have come across a number of ‘Quotas’ to choose from. Travelers have this query asking questions like: “what is a quota in IRCTC train ticket booking”. The answer lies in the concept that Indian Railways doesn’t give away all the train tickets in one go.

Indian Railways divides all the available seats into different categories belonging to special sections of the passengers such as: Women, Senior Citizens, Railway Officials, People looking for immediate train booking options, and many more. This process of separation ensures that different categories of passengers have an equal opportunity of securing as Confirmed train ticket.

What is a “Quota” in IRCTC Train Ticket Booking?

Quotas in IRCTC train ticket booking are different categories according to which the Railways has distributed all the available train berths. Instead of releasing all train berths for booking at once, Indian Railways divides them into different quotas so that the system balances ticket demand and adequately addresses the needs of different travellers.

Few examples of Quota in IRCTC train ticket booking::

• Tatkal: For urgent train travels, where the tickets need to be booked just a day before the train’s departure.
• Ladies: Railway quota dedicated specially for Female passengers or children below the age of 12.
• Lower Berth/Senior: Senior citizens find it difficult to board a middle and upper berth. Few lower berth seats are thus kept reserved for them.
• Pooled Quota: Railway quota reserved for people travelling on short journeys in between intermediate stations.

List of All Train Ticket Booking Quotas

The Quotas—Explained with how-tos, examples, pros & cons

1) General Quota (GN)

General quota as suggested by the name is the most generalistic option of IRCTC train ticket booking. In this quota train ticket booking opens 60 days before the date of departure, called Advance Reservation Period (ARP). 

• Good for: Planned trips.
• How to book: Search your train on IRCTC → keep “General” in the quota dropdown → proceed.
• Example: Family planning a holiday two months out.
• Watch out: Holiday seasons = fast sell-outs.

An important step before every train ticket booking is to check the train seat availability. You can easily check this service on the RailMitra platform.

2) Tatkal Quota (TQ)

Tatkal quota in trains means the last minute ticket booking option provided by the IRCTC. Train ticket booking for this quota opens one day before the departure of trains. People rarely decide months before travel and most of the time the decision is taken a few weeks before. Until then tickets under the General quota are consumed. Tatkal quota in train ticket booking thus acts as a boon for the passengers.

Read More:Confirmed Tatkal Ticket Booking: How to Get it Under 1 Minute

• When it opens: Traditionally one day prior to journey date—10 AM for AC and 11 am for non-AC.
• Scenario: Sudden interview call, or a family emergency.
• Pros: A real shot at last-minute travel.
• Cons: Higher fare; seats vanish quickly.

3) Premium Tatkal Quota (PT)

If the tickets are booked even under the Tatkal quota, Railways present you another opportunity to book train tickets under the Premium Tatkal quota. However, the ticket prices here are fairly higher, almost comparable to flight ticket prices.

• Why it exists: Additional last-minute capacity, priced by demand.
• How to book: Same workflow as Tatkal, but select Premium Tatkal.
• Best for: If Tatkal is gone and you still must travel.
• Heads-up: More expensive; concessions generally don’t apply.
  

4) Ladies Quota (LD)

Ladies Quota in IRCTC refers to seats reserved for female passengers travelling alone along with a child under the age of 12 years. Berths under this quota are reserved for Sleeper and 2S Classes. 

• How to book: Pick Ladies in the Quota dropdown on IRCTC; add passenger details as usual.
• Use-case: Late-evening departures when safety/comfort matters.
• Trade-off: Very limited seats, so check early.

5) High Official / HQ Quota (HO)

Most passengers have never come across the HO Quota in Railway train ticket booking, and that’s because it’s not meant for everyday travellers. This quota is held exclusively for senior railway officials and certain VIPs. The idea is simple: if someone in a top position suddenly needs to travel, they shouldn’t be stranded just because a train is full.

Picture this — a last-minute inspection gets scheduled, or a senior officer has to attend an urgent meeting in another city. Even if the train is showing “No Seats Available,” the HO Quota in Railway ensures a berth is kept aside.

For regular passengers, the only way this quota matters is in the background. If those seats remain unused, they are quietly released before charting. That’s why sometimes your waitlisted ticket moves to confirmed status at the very last minute. In other words, the HO Quota in Railway can indirectly save your journey, even though you can’t book it yourself.

• Public access? No.
• What to know: You might see a WL convert late if these seats are released before charting.

6) Divyangjan / Physically Handicapped (HP)

Divyangjan / Physically Handicapped (HP) quota was introduced in IRCTC train ticket booking with inclusivity in mind. It’s for passengers with disabilities and usually covers an escort as well. Booking under this category isn’t complicated, but you’ll need valid proof like a disability certificate or UDID card.

The perks? Discounted fares and better chances of getting a lower or middle berth, which makes the travel experience safer and more comfortable. Imagine a visually impaired traveller going from Patna to Delhi with a companion — this quota ensures they don’t have to struggle for a berth or pay the full fare.

Trains in Indian Railways are sometimes delayed due to technical problems, traffic or the tracks or due to bad weather. As a traveller, these delays can be annoying as you would have to wait for long hours if the train is delayed. You can use RailMitra’s live train running status to track your train’s location and delays early using this service. With this service, you can track delays early and make necessary adjustments in your schedule.

• Eligibility: Valid disability documentation (UDID/medical certificate per rules).
• Perks: Concession (as applicable) and prioritised lower/middle berths.
• How to book (quick steps):
  • Create/Log in to IRCTC → add Divyangjan details in your profile.
  • Search train → choose Divyangjan/HP quota or apply for a concession where shown.
  • Carry original ID/certificates for verification during travel.
• Example: A visually impaired traveller with a companion.
• Note: Exact concessions/eligibility types are defined by Railways; keep documents handy.

7) Parliament House (PH)

The Parliament House Quota is reserved for MPs, MLAs, certain judges, and other authorised officials. You won’t find it on the public booking flow of IRCTC because requests for these tickets are usually handled through official offices.

• Booking path: Usually via official offices—not on the public IRCTC flow.
• Why it matters to you: Sometimes frees up close to charting → WL/RAC may improve.
  

8) Defence (DF)

The Defence Quota is one of the most well-known special categories in IRCTC train ticket booking. It’s meant for serving Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel who are travelling on transfers, postings, or returning from leave. For civilians, this quota isn’t accessible, but just like with other restricted quotas, any unused seats may eventually spill back into the general pool before the chart is finalised.

• How it’s used: With defence ID through designated counters/flows.
• Best for: Transfers, postings, return from leave.
• Constraint: Seats are few; plan early where possible.
  

9) Foreign Tourist (FT)

Foreign Tourist quota is designed specifically for foreign and overseas travellers so they don’t get stuck when trains are crowded. The Foreign Tourist Quota is meant for passengers carrying a foreign passport and, in some cases, NRIs too.

Foreigners can usually book these tickets through tourist counters at major stations or via designated online channels. The benefit is obvious — seats are often available even on popular routes where the general quota is full. However, the flip side is that fares under this quota may be higher than the standard price.

Read More:How to Master Indian Railways: A Foreigner’s Travel Guide

• Who qualifies: Foreign passport holders (and some NRI cases).
• Booking: Through tourist counters or designated online routes when available.
• Why bother: Often easier access on popular routes.
• Caveat: Fares can be higher than the base fare; allotment is limited.
  

10) Duty Pass (DP)

Duty Pass quota is for railway employees who are travelling with an official pass. It’s not available for public booking and works entirely within the railway system.

• Public access: No.
• Why you see changes late: Unused DP may return to general availability near charting.

11) Women 45+ / Seniors Travelling Alone (SS)

Indian Railways gives preference to senior citizens for lower berths which includes male passengers above the age of 60 and female passengers above 45 years of age. You must have witnessed elderly passengers requesting lower berth passengers to switch seats. This quota tries to avoid such scenarios.

Picture your mom, who is 50, traveling alone to visit relatives. She doesn’t want to end up climbing the top berth at night. With SS train ticket booking Quota, the system tries to give her something safer and easier, usually a lower berth.

Read More:Lower Berth Quota for Senior Citizens: Rules and Allotment

• Who fits: Women aged 45+ and senior citizens travelling solo.
• What it does: Improves lower-berth chances.
• Booking: Select relevant options in IRCTC, add age accurately, and choose lower-berth preference.
• Tip: Book earlier in the day; lower berths are scarce.
  

12) Yuva (YU)

Yuva quota was launched for unemployed youth between 18 and 45. Think of it as a helping hand for youngsters traveling for exams or job interviews. Under this quota, tickets come at subsidised fares.

It’s not on every train, only a handful. And yes, you need to show proof if asked. In real life, not many people even know this exists, which is why trains under this quota don’t always fill up. But for a student traveling from Bihar to Delhi for an SSC exam, it can be a lifesaver.

• Eligibility: Unemployed youth within specified age band with valid certification.
• Reality check: Not on most trains; verify availability before planning around it.
  

13) Lower Berth (LB)

Lower Berth Quota in train ticket booking is same as SS or Senior Citizen quota.

• Who gets priority: Men 60+; women 45+ (alone or two together).
• How to trigger it: Enter true age; keep “Lower Berth” as preference at booking.
• Scenario: An elderly passenger on an overnight sleeper run.
• Limitation: Only a few lower berths per coach, so it’s still first-come-first-served.
  

14) Road Side (RS)

Here’s where Indian Railways shows it hasn’t forgotten the small stations. RS Quota exists so that passengers boarding at smaller, less-busy stations don’t get pushed aside by the flood of bookings from metros.

Imagine someone boarding at Gaya while the train is packed with passengers from Delhi and Patna. Without RS Quota, they’d stand no chance. The number of seats is tiny, but it’s a fair system to keep access balanced.

• Who benefits: Passengers boarding at intermediate or non-PRS stations.
• How it works: Often managed at local counters; some allocations are manual.
• Practical tip: If your origin is a small station, check locally; online views may not show everything.

15) General Quota Road Side (GNRS)

This is like RS Quota’s rural cousin. It works at non-PRS (non-computerised) stations where staff still allot seats manually. You won’t see it on IRCTC.

It matters for people in villages who can’t use online booking but still need long-distance trains. For city folks, it may not affect you at all, but for remote regions, GNRS is sometimes the only way seats get booked.

16) Railway Employee on Duty (RE)

This one’s not for the public at all. It’s reserved for railway employees traveling on duty. For a normal passenger, the only time it matters is close to chart preparation. If employees don’t use these seats, they often get released back to the general pool, which explains why the waitlist sometimes clears at the very last minute.

• Public access: No.
• Why you care: Late releases from RE sometimes spill back to general seats.

17) Out Station (OS)

This is a bit old-school. Small-town passengers can apply at their local station in advance (usually the day before) and get a seat under OS Quota. It’s not as smooth as IRCTC online booking, but it does ensure smaller stations aren’t ignored.

• How to request: Apply at the designated station (commonly by the evening before); allocation, if any, is fed before charting.
• Expectation-setting: Very limited; use as a backup, not the main plan.
  

18) Pooled Quota (PQ)

Pooled Quota is for passengers who board and deboard at intermediate stations. Instead of lumping them into General Quota, seats are shared across small segments.

The downside? PQWL (Pooled Quota Waiting List) is harder to clear than General WL. Still, it’s the only reason short-distance passengers can even dream of getting a confirmed seat on big long-route trains. For example, someone going from Kanpur to Bhopal on a Delhi–Chennai train would fall under PQ.

• What it means: Your ticket may go into a shared PQ bucket rather than General.
• You’ll see:PQWL (Pooled Quota Waitlist) on unconfirmed bookings.
• Honest bit: PQWL confirmations are usually tougher than GN WL.
• Tip: If your segment is flexible, sometimes shifting origin/destination to the train’s ends improves odds.

19) Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC)

Reservation Against Cancellation or RAC quota is provided to the passengers if all the General quota has been sold out. Under RAC, Railways allows two passengers to share the same berth. The beauty is: RAC guarantees travel. Even if you don’t get a full bed, at least you’re not stranded. I’ve personally used RAC during Diwali rush; not the most comfortable, but it got me home on time. Better than being stuck on a waitlist.

Read More: RAC in Train Booking? All You Need to Know Before You Travel

• How it works: Two passengers share one berth (you get a seat) until a cancellation converts it to a full berth.
• Why it’s useful: You will travel — unlike WL, which might not even allow boarding.
• Trade-off: Less comfortable if it never converts.

If you receive a RAC quota it doesn’t mean you have to always share the berth. RAC Tickets often get confirmed after chart preparation. You can check if your ticket has been confirmed or not using the PNR Status service at RailMitra.

Practical scenarios 

Tips that genuinely improve confirmation odds

• Move fast on opening windows. Tatkal/Premium Tatkal are speed games; pre-save passenger details.
• Be flexible with class and date. 3A vs 2A, or even 2S vs SL, can flip availability in your favour.
• Try adjacent stations. Starting a stop earlier (or ending one stop later) can switch you from PQWL to a better bucket.
• Watch for late releases. HQ/Staff/Duty quotas sometimes drop near charting—check again a few hours before departure.
• Avoid typos and mismatched ages. Age drives eligibility (LB/SS); get it wrong and you lose priority.
• Keep IDs handy. Especially for Tatkal, Divyangjan, Defence, and tourist quotas.

Conclusion

Indian Railways provides ample diversity for train ticket booking in the form of various quotas. These different quotas allow various kinds of Railway Passengers a shot at confirmed train tickets. 

Indian Railways designed these quotas so that the requirements of different segments of the society are adequately addressed. In a country as big and diversified as India, this segmentation is a welcome step by the Railways.