New Delhi: Indian Railways has implemented a significant change in its ticket booking policy, reducing the advance reservation period (ARP) from 120 days to 60 days. This adjustment, effective November 1, aims to reduce the rising “no-show” trend and encourage genuine travelers.
In a circular released on October 16, the railway department noted that nearly 21% of reservations made 61 to 120 days in advance were canceled, with an additional 5% of passengers failing to cancel or undertake their journey. The revised ARP is expected to improve planning for special trains during peak seasons, ensuring better availability for passengers.
According to the Press Information Bureau (PIB), “This change addresses the growing no-show trend and helps Indian Railways plan more effectively.” Importantly, tickets booked before the rule change will not be affected, and the 365-day ARP for foreign tourists remains the same.
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), responsible for managing ticketing, catering, and other services, has 66 million registered users, with an average of 731,000 tickets booked daily. This ARP revision marks the first change since 2015, with previous policies allowing bookings just 30 days in advance back in 1998.
