He made a very important recent announcement, though few rejoiced at the news except the general ticket passengers: the Indian Railways will be giving its rules on ticket booking some radically changed scent by January 21, 2025. These rules will benefit and will attempt to simplify the passage between passengers, as well as making the things more convenient and user-friendly.
Their prime objective is to have better services for passengers and to bring about transparency in the ticket booking system. Thus, it is not only beneficial for passengers, but also assists the railways in correctly estimating the actual demand of passengers. Let’s find out about these new rules in a bit more detail and see how they will make your journey easier.
IRCTC system down! Use any of these measures to book/cancel your ticket
Change in Advance Reservation Period (ARP)
Advance Reservation Period – it is being reduced from 120 days to 60 days – is specified in the new rule. By January 21, 2025, this new rule becomes effective. It would therefore be possible in this time to book tickets only until the journey date for 60 days.
Reasons behind the Reduction of ARP:
- Reduction in ticket cancellations: Between 15% and 21% tickets in 120-day ARP used to be cancelled.
- Reduction in the number of no-show passengers: 4 to 5% passengers generally do not inform before missing their journey.
- Correct estimation of true demand: Less time means correct indications towards the actual number of passengers.
- Black marketing prevention of tickets: Less time taken to do the booking itself prevents illegal activities.
New rules for every category
This will be applied equally across all categories. This means that these rules will also apply to AC and non-AC categories. Whether you’re in a sleeper class or using AC first class, you’ll now have a 60-day ARP period in both cases.
Affected categories:
Sleeper Class
- AC 3 Tier
- AC 2 Tier
- AC First Class
- Chair Car
- General Class
Impact on tickets pre-booked
But if you have bought tickets before January 21, 2025, you have an apprehension of nullification. No, these new rules will not apply to already pre-booked tickets. All the bookings made till January 20, 2025 will be valid under the 120-day ARP.
Special provisions for the foreign tourists
There remains no change in the earlier rules on foreign tourists. They will have an Advance Reservation Period of 365 days. This facility will better help foreign tourists plan their travel.
Objective of the new rules
- PASSENGER CONVENIENCE-More flexibility to passengers in planning their travel due to shorter ARP
- Money not locked for long – Less money of the passengers being stuck in the ticket for a long time
- SPOIL-A-TICKET CRIME – Less time would be there to work black money activities.
- High-standard passengers – Increase in the availability of genuine passengers for undertaking the tickets.
Enhanced planning of special trains
- Certainly, a shorter ARP suggests better knowledge of the actual numbers of passengers to the railways. This aids in planning special dispensaries of trains.
- During festive seasons: More special trains may ply.
- Route-specific planning: Additional trains on linger routes.
- An increase in seat availability: A boost in a number of passengers who will receive the confirmed tickets.
Change in the Ticket Cancellation Rules
- In the new rules, changes have also been introduced in the scheme of canceling tickets.
- More than 60 days-allowed cancellation for bookings made more than 60 days in advance.
- Refund Policy-No change in rules of cancellation and refund policy.
Updates in the App and Website of IRCTC
Some changes will also be made in the IRCTC app and website to incorporate these rules.
- New calendar-New booking calendar as per 60-day ARP.
- User interface-An even more user-based interface for the passengers.
- Real-time updates-Real-time information on seat availability.
Effect on General Class Tickets
General category tickets would not be affected with the new rules and are usually taken just before the journey.
- Counter Booking-There shall be no stoppage of counter booking of general ticket counters.
- UTS App Booking-Booking of general tickets is possible through a UTS app.
- Some travel tips
- Some travel tips to plan your travel better under the new rules:
- Timely booking: Ticket booking should be done 60 days before the journey.
- Alternate dates: Have some alternate dates in mind.
- Tatkal tickets: You may need to use a Tatkal option.
- Regularly tune into the IRCTC updates through IRCTC app and site.
Benefits for the Railways
- The benefits of implementing the new rules would extend to both the passengers and the Railways.
- Effective Resource Management: Proper utilization of resources done by putting the right number of people on the trains
