Operations Railway Reservation Rules
Railway Reservation Rules – Indian Railways (Operations GK)
1. Reservation Eligibility & Quotas (Total Berths = 100%)
| Quota | % of Total Berths | Salient Features |
|---|---|---|
| General (GN) | 58% | Open to all; no ID proof concession |
| Tatkal (TQ) | 30% | Opens 1 day in advance; extra fare |
| Premium Tatkal (PT) | 1–30% dynamic | Opens at 10:00/11:00 hrs; fare = last 30% slab |
| Ladies (LD) | 1 Sleeper coach | Only female passengers; no male >12 yrs |
| Senior Citizen (SS) | – | M 60 yrs / F 58 yrs; 40% Base Fare concession |
| Divyaang (HP) | – | 25–75% concession; 1 escort at 75% |
| HO (High Official) | 1–2 per train | For MPs, Judges, Railway officers |
| DF (Defence) | 2 per train | Serving defence personnel |
| FT (Foreign Tourist) | 2 per coach | 30-day advance; payment in USD/Card |
| RL (Remote Location) | Fixed trains | Intermediate popular boarding point quota |
2. Reservation Time-Lines (IST)
| Class | Advance Reservation Period (ARP) | Opening Time |
|---|---|---|
| Sleeper/2S | 60 days | 08:00 hrs |
| AC Classes | 60 days | 08:00 hrs |
| Tatkal | 1 day (previous day) | 10:00 hrs (AC), 11:00 hrs (Non-AC) |
| Premium Tatkal | 1 day | Same as Tatkal |
| IRCTC Foreign Tourist | 365 days | 08:00 hrs |
3. Refund Rules – Time-Table (w.e.f. 12-11-2015)
| Ticket Type | Cancellation Time | Deduction | Minimum Flat Cancellation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Confirmed/RAC | >48 hrs | ₹240 (SLY), ₹200 (2S), ₹120 (Chair), ₹180 (3AC), ₹200 (2AC), ₹240 (1AC) | Same as above |
| 12–48 hrs | 25% of fare | - | |
| <12 hrs & up-to 4 hrs before dep | 50% of fare | - | |
| <4 hrs / No-show | No refund | - | |
| Wait-listed (paper) | upto 30 min before dep | ₹60 per passenger | - |
| e-Ticket WL | upto chart prep (normally 4 hrs) | ₹60 | Auto refund |
| TDR Filed | within 1 hr of dep (online) | As per extant rule | - |
4. Key Operational Numbers
- Chart Preparation Time: 1st chart – 4 hrs before; 2nd/final – 30 min before departure
- Maximum Tickets per single e-Transaction: 6
- Maximum berths allowed in one PNR: 6 (only 2 Tatkal)
- Minimum distance charged (Passenger train): 50 km
- Child fare age: 5–12 yrs (full berth at adult fare if berth sought)
- Infant age: <5 yrs (free, no berth)
- Duplicate ticket charge: ₹50 (<400 km), ₹100 (>400 km)
- MST (Monthly Season Ticket) validity: Calendar month; QST – 3 months
- Concession for journalist on tour: 30% in 2/SL/1AC/2AC
- Vikalp (free alternate train) opt-in time: booking – upto chart prep
5. Quick-List: Documents accepted as ID in train
- Voter ID
- Aadhaar (physical/digital)
- PAN card
- Passport
- Driving Licence
- Photo ID card issued by Central/State Govt/PSU/Local body
- Nationalized bank passbook with photo
(For e-ticket, any one passenger must carry ORIGINAL ID)
Frequently Asked RRB Questions (Operations)
Q1. Within how many hours before departure is the first reservation chart prepared?
A. 4 hoursQ2. What is the Tatkal booking opening time for AC classes?
A. 10:00 AM (IST) one day prior to departureQ3. How much is the flat cancellation charge for a Sleeper class confirmed ticket if cancelled >48 hrs?
A. ₹240 per passengerQ4. What is the minimum age for senior citizen concession for females?
A. 58 yearsQ5. What is the maximum number of berths that can be booked in a single PNR?
A. 6 berthsMaster Table – Reservation Abbreviations
| Abbbr | Stands for |
|---|---|
| GN | General Quota |
| TQ | Tatkal Quota |
| PT | Premium Tatkal |
| RL | Remote Location |
| LD | Ladies Quota |
| HP | Handicapped (Divyaang) Quota |
| SS | Senior Citizen |
| HO | High Official |
| DF | Defence Quota |
| FT | Foreign Tourist |
| ARP | Advance Reservation Period |
| CNF | Confirmed |
| RAC | Reservation Against Cancellation |
| WL | Wait List |
| TDR | Ticket Deposit Receipt |
| PNR | Passenger Name Record |
| CSTM | Chief Station Ticket Master |
| MST | Monthly Season Ticket |
Practice MCQs (15) – Railway Reservation Rules
-
The advance reservation period for all classes except the foreign tourist quota is
a) 30 days b) 60 days c) 90 days d) 120 days
Ans: b -
Tatkal charges are recovered on which component of fare?
a) Only Basic Fare b) Basic + Superfast + Other charges c) Total fare including GST d) Only catering charges
Ans: b -
A confirmed Sleeper ticket cancelled 10 hrs before departure will attract what deduction?
a) 25% b) 50% c) ₹240 flat d) 30%
Ans: a -
Premium Tatkal quota opens at
a) 08:00 b) 10:00 c) 11:00 d) 12:00
Ans: b -
Which of the following is NOT accepted as travel ID?
a) PAN b) Aadhaar c) Ration card d) Passport
Ans: c -
Opting for Vikalp is allowed
a) Only at booking time b) Upto chart preparation c) After chart preparation d) Not allowed in e-tickets
Ans: b -
Flat cancellation charge for Wait-list e-ticket after charting is
a) ₹60 b) ₹120 c) ₹240 d) Zero
Ans: a -
Female senior citizen concession starts at age
a) 55 b) 58 c) 60 d) 62
Ans: b -
Maximum berths under Tatkal in a single PNR are
a) 2 b) 4 c) 6 d) No limit
Ans: a -
A child of 4 years travelling without berth must pay
a) Adult fare b) Half fare c) No fare d) ₹60 flat
Ans: c -
TDR for online ticket must be filed within
a) 30 min after departure b) 1 hr c) 4 hrs d) 24 hrs
Ans: b -
The second/final chart is prepared
a) 4 hrs b) 2 hrs c) 30 min d) 10 min before dep
Ans: c -
Duplicate ticket charge for journey >400 km is
a) ₹50 b) ₹100 c) ₹150 d) ₹200
Ans: b -
Which quota has dynamic fare pricing?
a) GN b) LD c) PT d) DF
Ans: c -
Minimum distance charged for passenger train ticket is
a) 10 km b) 30 km c) 50 km d) 70 km
Ans: c
Revision Tip: Remember “60-4-30” – 60 days ARP, 4 hrs 1st chart, 30 min final chart.
BETA
