Starting on April 15, Indian Railways intends to implement major modifications to the Tatkal ticket purchasing procedure to avoid last-minute confusion and missed trips. These modifications, which are meant to prevent abuse and expedite the ticket reservation process, will affect quotas, cancellation rules, payment methods, and booking times.
Whether you are planning a one-time trip or travel frequently, you need to be aware of the updated rules.
New Tatkal Booking Timings From April 15
One of the biggest changes is the revised Tatkal ticket booking hours. The following table lists the updated times based on the kind of class:
| Booking Class | Previous Timing | New Timing (From April 15) | Days in Advance | Reduced wait time |
| AC Class (1A, 2A, 3A, CC) | 10:00 AM one day before | 11:00 AM one day before | 1 day | Reduced wait time |
| Non-AC Class (SL, 2S) | 11:00 AM one day before | 12:00 PM one day before | 1 day | Reduced wait time |
| Premium Tatkal (PT) | 10:00 AM one day before | 10:30 AM one day before | 1 day | Reduced wait time |
| Current Reservation | Starts 4 hours before departure | Unchanged | Same day | Reduced wait time |
| Agents Booking Allowed | Yes | No (10 AM to 12 PM) | NA | Reduced wait time |
| Reduced wait time | Reduced wait time | Reduced wait time | Reduced wait time | Reduced wait time |
The new time system prioritises direct customer access and prohibits travel brokers from booking during the critical first two hours.
How to Reserve Tatkal Tickets
The Tatkal ticket-buying process on the IRCTC website and mobile app has also been changed for more efficiency. The main actions to take under the new system are as follows:
- Go to www.irctc.co.in or use the IRCTC mobile app.
- Select your preferred train and class (air-conditioned or non-air-conditioned).
- Select the “Tatkal” quota from the drop-down menu.
- Enter the passenger’s information and the ID proof number.
- Complete the reservation by going to the payment page.
New Changes In the Booking Process
- To save time, registered users’ passenger data is automatically filled in.
- The payment timeout was extended from three to five minutes.
- Simplifying captcha verification to decrease booking mistakes
- A unified login process for websites and apps
Key Points To Remember
- One Tatkal PNR can be used to book up to four people.
- There are no concessions under the Tatkal quota.
- At the time of travel, identification is required.
