To prevent the black marketing of train tickets, the Indian Railways have made an important change to the advance booking rules.
Starting from November 1, passengers will only be able to book tickets 60 days in advance instead of the current 120 days. However, this change will not affect bookings until October 31.
New Rules Effective From November 1
The Railways announced that, beginning November 1, 2024, passengers can book their train tickets only 60 days before the date of travel.
It’s important to note that the travel date is not included in the 60 days.
Exceptions for Certain Trains
Some trains like the Taj Express and Gomti Express will not be affected by this new rule. In addition, the 365-day advance booking period for foreign tourists remains unchanged.
Curbing Black Marketing and Ticket Cancellations
The Railways stated that only 13% of passengers book tickets 120 days in advance, while most book tickets within 45 days.
Booking tickets so far in advance also leads to higher cancellations and refunds. The new rule aims to reduce black marketing and ticket hoarding.
E-Ticketing and ‘My Transaction’ Feature
Since 2018, the Railways have offered an e-ticketing system where users can check train information and seat availability without logging in.
The ‘My Transaction’ feature allows users to view all their booked tickets based on journey dates and booking details.
Indian Railways: A Global Leader
Indian Railways operates the fourth-largest rail network in the world, spanning over 67,000 km.
Each day, 2.4 crore passengers travel by train across the country, making it a key mode of transport.
