Indian Railways has introduced another significant change to its passenger ticketing framework, this time impacting the Emergency Quota (EQ) system.
This follows earlier reforms in Tatkal booking policies and train chart preparation timings. The goal: make bookings more transparent, efficient, and fair for genuine travellers.
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1. Emergency Quota (EQ): No More Same-Day Requests
A new official circular makes it mandatory that all EQ ticket requests must arrive at least one day before the train’s departure. Requests submitted on the day of travel will now be outright rejected—a major departure from previous rules.
➤ Deadline Slots by Departure Time:
- Trains departing between 00:00 and 14:00 hrs → EQ requests due by 12:00 PM (noon) on the previous day
- Trains departing between 14:01 and 23:59 hrs → Requests due by 4:00 PM the day before
These strict cutoffs are intended to streamline seat allocation and reduce last-minute rushes.
2. Holiday and Sunday Requests: Strict Prior-Day Policy
If the train journey falls on a Sunday or a public holiday, passengers must submit EQ requests during office hours on the last working day before the travel date. Same-day submissions—even for official or urgent reasons—will not be accepted.
The ministry’s emphasis on prior submissions ensures processing time remains efficient even during non-working days.
3. Why EQ Rules Were Tightened
Officials cited frequent misuse of the EQ system—especially involving VIPs, senior railway officers, and government staff—as a key driver for the change. With large volumes of last-minute requests, chart preparation often faced delays, risking train departures.
To avoid such disruptions, officers and recommending authorities must scrutinize each request carefully and adhere strictly to timelines.
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4. Interlinked Reforms: Chart Timing and Tatkal Overhaul
➤ Advanced Chart Preparation
Previously, reservation charts were finalized roughly 4 hours before departure, leaving limited time for waiting-list passengers to make alternate plans. Now, charts will be prepared 8 hours ahead, and for trains departing before 2 PM, the chart is finalized by 9 PM the previous day.
This change aims to give waiting-list travellers more clarity sooner and additional time to book alternative travel if needed.
➤ Tatkal Booking Reforms
From July 1, 2025, only Aadhaar-verified IRCTC users can book Tatkal tickets online or via the app. From July 15, all Tatkal bookings—whether online, at PRS counters, or via agents—will require OTP authentication tied to the Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
Additionally, authorised agents will not be permitted to book Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of opening (10:00–10:30 AM for AC, 11:00–11:30 AM for non-AC), reserving that window exclusively for individual Aadhaar-linked users.
These measures are designed to curb scalping, prevent misuse by bots, and prioritize genuine users.
5. Modern Passenger Reservation System (PRS): Coming December 2025
In a transformative push, Indian Railways is working with the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) to roll out a next-generation PRS by December 2025. Key upgrades include:
- Booking throughput: From ~32,000 to over 150,000 bookings per minute
- Enquiries: From 400,000 to over 4 million enquiries per minute
- Enhanced multilingual interface, fare‑calendar view, seat/preference selection
- Dedicated features for students, Divyangjan (differently‑abled), patients, and senior travellers
This high-capacity, user-centric system aims to transform ticketing into a faster, smarter, and more accessible process for all.
6. Clerkage Charges: Under Review for Potential Reduction
Indian Railways is also considering eliminating or reducing clerkage charges on cancellations or unconfirmed wait-listed tickets:
- AC/non-AC reserved cancellations currently incur ₹60
- Unreserved second-class cancellations incur ₹30
Adjusting these fees could offer meaningful refunds to passengers—especially those with automatically cancelled wait-listed tickets.
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7. What This Means for You: A Passenger’s Guide
✅ Plan Ahead
- Submit EQ requests at least one day before travel (by noon or 4 PM depending on departure).
- Holiday travel requires early submission during prior working hours.
✅ Tatkal Booking
- Ensure your IRCTC account is linked to Aadhaar.
- Start booking within the first 30 minutes after the quota opens if trying via agents.
- Expect OTP verification for all Tatkal bookings starting July 15.
✅ Waitlisted Ticket Holders
- Consult your PNR status around 8 hours before departure to know where you stand.
- If your ticket remains unconfirmed, it’s time to consider alternate travel.
✅ Future Enhancements
- The upgraded PRS launches by December 2025—expect faster booking, smoother UI, and personalized features.
✅ Cancellation Charges
- Stay updated as railways deliberates on reducing clerkage charges for wait-listed cancellations.
8. Broader Impact: Efficiency, Fairness, and Passenger Focus
These changes collectively aim to usher in a more disciplined, passenger-centric reservation regime:
- Earlier charting gives waiting-list passengers better visibility.
- Tightened Tatkal rules prioritize genuine users and prevent black marketing.
- EQ deadlines bring transparency and accountability to urgent travel requests.
- PRS modernization ensures future bookings are fast, reliable, and scalable.
- Clerkage fee review may improve refund fairness for many travellers.
Indian Railways appears committed to a transformation that prioritizes reliability, speed, and equitable access for all.
9. FAQs
🔹 When is the new chart prepared?
Charts will now be finalized 8 hours before departure, with 9 PM on the previous day as the cutoff for trains departing before 2 PM.
🔹 Can EQ be requested on the travel day?
No — all EQ requests must reach the EQ cell by noon or 4 PM the previous business day, depending on departure time. Same-day requests are not permitted.
🔹 What if the train departs on a holiday?
Submit the EQ request during office hours on the last working day before the journey, even if travel is on a Sunday or public holiday.
🔹 Do I need Aadhaar to book Tatkal?
Yes, from July 1, 2025, only Aadhaar-linked IRCTC accounts can book Tatkal tickets online or via app. OTP validation will be mandatory from July 15, 2025.
🔹 Will clerkage charges change?
They are under consideration—reducing or eliminating them could benefit passengers with wait-listed or unconfirmed tickets.
📅 Timeline Snapshot
| Effective From | Change |
|---|---|
| Already implemented | Tatkal system restriction on first 30‑minute agent bookings |
| July 1, 2025 | Aadhaar-required IRCTC account for Tatkal booking |
| July 15, 2025 | OTP mandatory for all Tatkal bookings (online, counters, agent) |
| July 2025 onwards | Emergency Quota requests must be submitted as per cut-off timelines |
| From now | Reservation charts prepared 8 hours before departure |
| By December 2025 | New CRIS-built PRS system with enhanced capacity and features |
| Under consideration | Reduction or waiver of clerkage charges on cancellations |
Final Word
Indian Railways’ latest reforms reflect a determined effort to make ticketing fairer, faster, and more transparent. From Aqdar-authenticated Tatkal bookings and early chart releases to the overhaul of emergency quota timing and ground‑breaking PRS capabilities, these changes prioritize passenger convenience and integrity of process.
If you plan to travel soon, make sure your IRCTC account is Aadhaar-linked, track your PNR status early, submit EQ requests timely, and stay informed about upcoming system enhancements.
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