IRCTC NEW RULE

1. New Rule

Advance Reservation Period reduced from 120 days to 60 days

Effective date: November 1, 2024

Old bookings made before October 31, 2024 under 120-day rule remain valid

2. Why It Changed

21 percent of tickets booked 61 to 120 days out were getting cancelled

5 percent passengers neither cancelled nor travelled - no-show

Helps Railways see genuine demand and plan special trains better

Deters touts from booking bulk tickets in advance

3. What Did Not Change

Foreign tourists: 365-day ARP still valid

Daytime express trains like Taj Express and Gomti Express: existing lower limits continue

Tatkal booking: Still 1 day before journey

Cancellation: Bookings made beyond 60 days can still be cancelled

4. ARP History

April 2015 to October 2024: 120 days

November 1, 2024 onward: 60 days

May 2013 to March 2015: 60 days

September 1995 to January 1998: 30 days

5. How To Calculate Booking Date

Booking opens 60 days before journey date, excluding the journey date

Example: For travel on August 15, 2026, booking opens June 16, 2026