Modifying Reserved Train Tickets- Have you ever found yourself in a situation where your travel plans suddenly change after booking train tickets well in advance, and your ticket status is confirmed? It can be a bit perplexing, but fear not. You have options – you can either prepone or postpone your train ticket journey. That’s right; the Indian Railways allows passengers to modify their travel plans conveniently.
Indian Railways: A Vast Network
Indian Railways, often touted as the third-largest railway network in the world (as per Wikipedia), plays a pivotal role in the transportation landscape of India. It’s the go-to choice for millions of passengers to traverse the length and breadth of the country. The system provides passengers with the flexibility to book tickets through computerized ticketing counters and the online reservation portal – IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) at http://irctc.co.in. Booking can be done as early as 120 days in advance, allowing travelers to secure their seats for planned journeys.
Can You Modifying Reserved Train Tickets?
The burning question on many travelers’ minds is whether they can prepone or postpone a train ticket that’s been booked on IRCTC. The answer is yes! Based on the guidelines specified on the Indian Railways website, passengers have the flexibility to make changes to their reserved, RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation), or waitlisted tickets. The process is designed to provide convenience and adaptability to travelers, ensuring a smoother journey experience.
Postponement of Journey -Modifying Reserved Train Tickets
Confirmed Tickets
- Postponing your journey with confirmed tickets is allowed in the same or any higher class. By any subsequent train on the same day or any subsequent day heading to the same destination.
- If you’re opting for a different train, a fresh reservation is necessary for confirmed, RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation). Or waiting list accommodations in the available train. You’ll need to pay the reservation fee for the required class.
- To be eligible for this change, ensure that you submit your confirmed tickets to Indian Railways. During working hours and at least 48 hours before the originally booked train’s scheduled departure.
- If you submit your tickets during working hours within 24 hours and up to 4 hours before the originally booked train’s departure. You’ll incur a cancellation charge equivalent to 25% of the fare of the originally booked ticket.
- For submissions within working hours and within 4 hours before the originally booked train’s departure, the cancellation charge is higher at 50% of the fare of the originally booked ticket.
RAC and Waitlisted Tickets
- For RAC and waitlisted tickets, postponement is permitted only in the same class or higher by any subsequent train on the same day or any subsequent day heading to the same destination.
- Similar to confirmed tickets, a fresh reservation is required for RAC, waiting list, or confirmed accommodations in the available train.
- If you submit your tickets during working hours of reservation counters and up to the maximum time limits (which vary based on distance). After the actual departure of the originally booked train, you may incur a clerk charge.
Preponement of Journey – Modifying Reserved Train Tickets
- Preponing your journey is an option for confirmed, RAC, and waitlisted tickets. You can move to the same class. Or any higher class by taking an earlier train on the same day or any earlier day heading to the same destination.
- Just like with postponement, a fresh reservation is needed for confirmed, RAC, waiting list accommodations in the available train.
- To initiate preponement, submit your tickets during working hours. And at least 6 hours before the scheduled departure of the train requiring reservation. Or before the preparation of the reservation chart, whichever is later.
- For confirmed tickets, a fresh reservation fee is applicable for the required class during preponement. In the case of RAC and waitlisted tickets, a clerk charge is applicable.
Conditions for Modification of Journey -Modifying Reserved Train Tickets
- In cases where there is a difference between the originally booked journey fare and the revised journey fare. The difference will be refunded or recovered.
- It’s important to note that the postponement or preponement of a journey is allowed only once.
- Please be aware that the rules for modifying normal train ticket journeys, whether through preponement or postponement. Do not apply to Tatkal Quota bookings. Even if Tatkal charges are paid.