In a significant passenger-friendly move, the Indian Railways is all set to change its long-standing reservation chart preparation process. Instead of the current practice of preparing charts four hours before train departure, the new system will finalize charts eight hours in advance. For trains departing before 2 PM, the charts will now be prepared at 9 PM the previous night.
This shift, proposed by the Railway Board and approved by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, will be implemented in phases to avoid any disruption in services.
Benefits for Passengers, Especially from Remote Areas
The earlier charting will provide major relief to passengers, especially those with waitlisted tickets. It will give them more time to check confirmation status, make alternative travel plans, or even cancel in time if needed.
The update is expected to greatly help those traveling from remote or suburban locations, giving them clarity on their ticket status well before they begin their journey.
New PRS to Handle 1.5 Lakh Bookings Per Minute
Alongside the charting revision, Indian Railways is working on a complete overhaul of its Passenger Reservation System (PRS), aiming for a December rollout. Once launched, the new system will:
- Support 1.5 lakh ticket bookings per minute (5X current capacity)
- Handle over 40 lakh ticket enquiries per minute (10X current)
- Offer a multilingual and user-friendly interface
- Allow users to select seat preferences and view fare calendars
The PRS upgrade is being developed by the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) and is expected to drastically improve the speed and ease of ticket booking across India.
Tatkal Bookings to Get Mandatory User Authentication
From July 1, the IRCTC website and app will enforce mandatory user authentication for Tatkal ticket bookings. This move aims to curb misuse and ensure fair access to high-demand Tatkal quotas.
Conclusion
With these major tech and policy upgrades, Indian Railways is stepping into a more efficient, transparent, and commuter-friendly era. Early charting, smarter ticketing, and high-speed booking promise to revolutionize the experience for millions of travelers.
