In a significant move aimed at easing travel planning for millions, Indian Railways has announced a revision in the timing for the preparation of its first reservation chart. This change is specifically designed to benefit passengers holding waiting list and Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) tickets, providing them with clearer information much earlier.
What is the New Chart Preparation Schedule?
The Ministry of Railways, through a circular issued on December 12, 2025, has directed all zones to implement the new timings. The directive was communicated by the Railway Board to all Principal Chief Commercial Managers (PCCMs). The core objective is to reduce the anxiety of passengers travelling from remote locations who need to catch long-distance trains, by informing them about their final reservation status well in advance.
The Railway Board stated that the decision was taken "with a view to inform passengers well in time about the reservation status so as to remove the anxiety of passengers coming from the remote locations to get the long-distance trains."
Detailed Breakdown of New Timings
The revised guidelines specify two clear timeframes based on a train's scheduled departure:
For trains departing between 05:01 hours and 14:00 hours: The first reservation chart will now be prepared preferably by 20:00 hours on the previous day.
For trains with departure times between 14:01 hours and 23:59 hours, as well as those departing between 00:00 hours and 05:00 hours: The first chart will be prepared preferably at least 10 hours in advance of the scheduled departure.
Impact on Passengers and the Shift to Digital
This policy shift is a direct response to passenger convenience, allowing those on waitlists or with RAC status to finalize their travel plans, arrange alternate transport if needed, or confirm their berth allocation without last-minute uncertainty. The move aligns with Indian Railways' broader digital transformation.
In a related development, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Lok Sabha on December 3, 2025, that e-ticketing now accounts for over 87% of all reserved tickets booked on the network. This underscores the massive shift towards online booking platforms like IRCTC, making timely digital chart information even more critical for the vast majority of passengers.
The combined effect of earlier chart preparation and the dominance of online ticketing is expected to create a smoother, more predictable travel experience for passengers across India, particularly benefiting those in smaller towns and remote areas connecting to major long-distance trains.
