verified Policy Summary (Circular 10/2024)

According to the official communication from the Ministry of Railways (Railway Board), the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) for train tickets has been modified to optimize seat utilization and discourage speculative bookings.

Official Documentation Ref: ARP Change to 60 Days Notice

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New ARP Limit Reduced from 120 days to 60 days (excluding the date of journey).

Effective Date This rule came into effect for bookings made on or after 1st November 2024.

Old Bookings Tickets booked before 31st Oct 2024 under the 120-day rule remain fully valid.

Exemptions Foreign Tourist Quota remains unchanged at 365 days. Certain daytime trains (Taj Exp, Gomti Exp) keep their shorter ARP.

help_center Key Questions

When exactly should I book?
For a journey on the 61st day from today, the booking opens at 8:00 AM. Since the 60-day rule excludes the journey date, our calculator precisely computes the exact morning you need to be on the IRCTC website.

Are cancellations affected?
No. Cancellations are permitted as per existing Refund Rules, even for tickets booked beyond the current 60-day ARP during the transition period.