Indian Railway is introducing a major change in its charting process. Reservation charts will now be prepared eight hours before the train’s departure instead of the current four hours. For trains scheduled before 2 p.m., charts will be made at 9 p.m. the night before. This update gives passengers more clarity and time to plan their journey.
The change helps those travelling from remote locations or outer suburbs. Early updates on ticket confirmation allow time to arrange alternatives if needed. The implementation will roll out in phases to avoid any disruption.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has reviewed progress on a full overhaul of the Passenger Reservation System (PRS). The upgrade, handled by the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS), is expected to be completed by December 2025.
The new PRS will be capable of handling over 1.5 lakh ticket bookings per minute. This is a fivefold jump from the current 32,000 per minute. The system will also support more than 40 lakh enquiry hits every minute.
The interface will support multiple Indian languages, seat selection options, and fare calendars. It will also include features to assist Divyangjan, students, and patients. The design focuses on speed, accessibility, and ease of use.
Starting July 1, only verified users will be able to book Tatkal tickets through the IRCTC website and app. From the end of July, OTP-based authentication will also be mandatory.
The system will use Aadhaar or other government-approved IDs stored in DigiLocker. These changes aim to prevent misuse and make bookings more secure.
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Indian Railways is pushing for smarter, faster, and more transparent services. With charting changes and digital upgrades in motion, passengers can expect a more reliable travel experience soon.