Indian Railways changes reservation policy; Lists now published 24 hours before departure

Indian Railways has implemented a significant change in its ticket reservation policy, announcing that the final list of reserved seats for trains will now be published 24 hours in advance of departure, rather than the previous four-hour window. This strategic alteration aims to provide greater convenience and flexibility to common passengers, who often faced challenges in arranging alternative travel options when their tickets remained unconfirmed with only a few hours' notice. The extended notification period is expected to alleviate last-minute stress and improve travel planning.

According to sources within the Indian Railways, the previous four-hour disclosure left insufficient time for passengers to make alternative arrangements, frequently compelling them to resort to brokers. This new 24-hour window is designed to empower passengers to secure confirmed tickets or explore other travel possibilities well in advance, reducing their reliance on unofficial channels. The Ministry of Railways believes this move will significantly benefit the general public, making the reservation process more transparent and passenger-friendly.

The issue of brokers exploiting the reservation system has been a long-standing concern for Indian Railways. These intermediaries often book multiple tickets and then sell them at inflated prices to desperate passengers, thereby depriving common travelers of legitimate access to confirmed seats and imposing an undue financial burden. By publishing the reserved seat list a full day prior to departure, the railways hope to curb the operations of such brokers and ensure fairer access to tickets for all passengers.

This latest amendment follows another recent change in the railway's booking policy. Effective November 1 of last year, the advance ticket booking period for long-distance trains was reduced. Previously, tickets could be booked up to 120 days in advance of the journey. However, this window has now been shortened, allowing reserved seat tickets to be purchased only up to 60 days before the scheduled travel date.