What Does Regret Status Mean in IRCTC Train Ticket Booking?

By: Swarn Rajhans | onSeptember 24, 2025

If you’ve used IRCTC to book a ticket, you’ve probably come across this common word: “Regret.” People who are new to the Indian Railways are often confused about what this word means. The word Regret means that your request with the IRCTC for train ticket booking could not be processed. Most often this means that there are no seats available for booking.

For anyone who has tried booking during Diwali, Holi, or Chhath Puja, you know what I’m talking about. You must have seen the Regret status as the trains don’t just get full—they get overflowing. Ask anyone standing in line at a cyber café in Bihar during Chhath trying to book tickets; you’ll understand the difficulties faced by regular travellers during the festive season.

So what does this Regret status really mean, and why does IRCTC use it? Let’s dig in deeper.

Explaining Regret Status in IRCTC Train Ticket Booking

In IRCTC Train Ticket Booking, Regret status simply means there are zero tickets left in that quota. Confirmed seats are all gone and even the waiting list is completely full.

Imagine a train with 500 Sleeper seats. Railways allot a provision for maybe 250 waiting list passengers on top of the 500 seats already provided. Once both numbers are filled, the computer doesn’t even bother showing WL 251. It just says Regret.

It’s like going to a cinema hall for a Shah Rukh Khan release on opening night. You don’t even get to stand in line. The guy at the counter just shakes his head: “Housefull brother. Regret.

Why Does Regret Status Appear?

Here are some of the reasons why

Popular Routes Vanish Fast
Popular train routes like Delhi–Patna during Chhath, Mumbai–Goa in December fill up very fast. Tickets vanish before you’ve even typed your OTP. Blink, and IRCTC slaps you with Regret.
Festival & Holiday Madness
Anyone who has tried booking around Diwali knows the drill. Tickets end up getting filled quickly and your screen says Regret. The same train your cousin booked yesterday is already packed.
Quota Cuts
During the IRCTC train ticket booking not all tickets go in one pool. Railways split them into different categories like Ladies, Senior Citizen, Defence, Tatkal, Premium Tatkal, etc. Your quota may be full, even if another one still has some seats.
Booking Too Late
Tickets open 60 days in advance. If you’re logging in just three days before the journey, then there are high chances that you will encounter the ‘Regret” status. You can check if the seats are available at the RailMitra platform using the Seat Availability in train service.
Waiting List Cap
Each class has a limit. Sleeper might take WL up to 250+, but 2AC classes shut after fewer seats, maybe 50. Once that ceiling is hit, Regret status will start flashing on your screen..

Regret vs WL vs RAC in IRCTC Train Ticket Booking?

People often mix them up, but they’re not the same. Let’s take a look at the difference between these three:

RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation): You’ve got a seat but not a full berth. You’ll share till cancellations free up a bed.
WL (Waiting List): You’re not in yet, but you’re in the queue. WL 1? Good chance. WL 200? God knows. It is important to note that with a WL train ticket you won’t be able to board the train in your booked class. You would have to travel in a General class if you got an offline booked WL ticket. Unconfirmed WL train tickets booked online get cancelled and refunded immediately.
Regret: All seats have been exhausted and there’s no chance of booking in this class. No queue, no waiting. However, there might be seats available in other classes.

Think of it like a wedding buffet:

RAC = You’re inside, but eating while standing.
WL = You’re outside the hall, hoping someone leaves early and you get a chance to eat.
Regret = Security guard says, “We are fully occupied and there is no way we can serve you. We regret this.”

To check your booking status you can use RailMitra’s PNR Status check service which will provide you real time updates about your bookings.

Impact of Regret Status on Passengers

When the word Regret pops up during booking, it’s not just merely a message on the screen. It feels more like your trip is slipping away. Passengers usually face a mix of practical and emotional setbacks, like these:

Disappointment – The let-down is instant. You log in ready to book, and suddenly there’s no chance of a seat. It can ruin the excitement of travelling before the journey even begins.
Extra expenses – At that point, most people start scrambling for buses or even flights. And honestly, these last-minute alternatives almost always burn a hole in your pocket.
Uncertainty – Until you find another confirmed option, your whole plan hangs in the air. If it’s for something important, say a wedding or a job interview the stress feels even more.
Cancellations and losses – Sometimes you’ve already paid for a hotel or registered for an event. If the train plan crashes, those bookings might go to waste, and you end up losing money on cancellation fees.

So while Regret looks like a small word, its impact is often big—on your wallet, your mood, and your schedule.

What To Do When You See Regret Status?

Check Other Quotas: Tatkal, Premium Tatkal, Ladies—worth a shot.
Check Another Option: If the 7 p.m. train is packed, don’t sulk. Scroll a bit more—sometimes the later one, like the 9:30 departure, still has a few seats available. You can check the train timings of any train using the Train Schedule service at RailMitra.
Try a Different Class: If one class is full, try switching the class. If Sleeper is full, try 3AC or 2AC classes. Some classes might have a few left.
Learn for Next Time: If you are unable to secure a train ticket and are constantly met with Regret status, then it is also an opportunity for you to learn and try booking at the earliest next time.

How to Dodge Regret Status in IRCTC Train Ticket Booking?

Mark the Date: Don’t trust memory. Put a reminder on your phone for the day bookings open, or you’ll blink and miss it.
Be a Little Flexible: If you can’t get a seat from one particular station, look for another station. For example if trains from Lucknow show Regret status try Kanpur. Is NDLS full? Anand Vihar might still be open. A small tweak can save your trip.
Keep an Eye on Live Updates: Apps like RailMitra show seat status changing in real-time through the Seat Availability feature. Refresh it once in a while, as it’s still better than blindly guessing.
Use Tatkal as Backup: If all the tickets are currently displaying Regret status
Plan Ahead: Seriously, don’t leave it till the last minute.

Some Misconceptions About Regret Status

“My booking failed.” → Nope. The booking didn’t even happen. IRCTC never issued a PNR.
“Maybe if I refresh, I’ll get in.” → Sorry, not happening. Once it says Regret, it stays that way.
“Can I still board?” → With what ticket? Regret = no booking. Don’t even think of it.

Conclusion

Regret status in IRCTC isn’t a bug—it’s the system’s polite way of saying, “Train is full, boss. There is no chance of confirmation.” It shows up when confirmed seats and the waiting list are both packed.

However this doesn’t mean that you should panic, but instead should be prepared and well-planned. Book early. Keep Tatkal as a backup. Try alternate trains or classes.

So if Regret pops up on your screen, take it as the railway’s way of saying: “Boss, try another option.”

FAQs on Regret status in IRCTC Train Ticket Booking

Q1. Can I travel if my ticket shows Regret?
A: No. Regret means no ticket was booked at all. You won’t even have a PNR.

Q2. Does Regret happen in Tatkal?
A: Yes, faster than you can imagine. Tatkal seats are gone within minutes.

Q3. Is Regret permanent?
A: Yes. Unlike WL, it won’t change with cancellations.

Q4. Can different quotas show different statuses?
A: Absolutely. General quota may show Regret, while Ladies quota might still have a few left.