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The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has implemented a significant change to its advance ticket booking policy, reducing the booking window from 120 days to 60 days. This new rule, effective from November 1, 2024, aims to streamline ticket availability and manage waitlists, particularly during peak travel seasons. The impact of this change extends beyond IRCTC's online platform, affecting third-party booking sites and apps like Ixigo, Paytm, and MakeMyTrip, as well as offline ticket purchases at railway counters.
The motivation behind this policy shift stems from the recurring issue of long waiting lists, especially during festive periods, which often made it challenging for travelers to secure reservations. This reduced booking period intends to create more equitable access to tickets, potentially reducing waitlist lengths and allowing travelers to better plan their journeys. However, the shorter booking window may pose challenges for those who book their travel far in advance, especially for long weekends or holidays.
The new rule will also necessitate a change in booking strategies for frequent travelers. Passengers must plan their trips and book tickets accordingly, considering the reduced advance booking period. Although the advance booking window has been shortened, Tatkal bookings remain unchanged. This allows passengers to reserve tickets one day prior to departure, with the booking window opening at 10 a.m. for AC classes and 11 a.m. for non-AC classes.
Beyond the reduced booking period, IRCTC has implemented several upgrades to its platform in recent years to enhance the booking experience and curb malpractices. Passengers logging in before 8 a.m. will be logged out at precisely 8 a.m. and must log in again to book tickets. This measure aims to ensure fair access to tickets for all users. Furthermore, only one PNR number can be generated per login session, requiring a fresh login for subsequent bookings. This restriction is designed to deter black-market ticket sales and promote equitable ticket distribution for genuine travelers. These upgrades highlight IRCTC's commitment to improving user experience and streamlining the ticket booking process.