Advance Booking System

Source: TH

Context: The Indian Railways has decided to shorten the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) for booking train tickets from 120 days to 60 days.

About Advance Booking System:

• New ARP rule: From November 1, 2024, passengers can book railway tickets 60 days in advance, down from the previous 120-day window.

• Historical changes: The ARP has been adjusted several times: Between 1981-1985, the ARP was 90 days. Between 1988-1993, it was reduced to 45 days. Since 1995, the ARP was 60 days before being extended to 120 days in 2008.

• Between 1981-1985, the ARP was 90 days.

• Between 1988-1993, it was reduced to 45 days.

• Since 1995, the ARP was 60 days before being extended to 120 days in 2008.

• Reasons for shortening ARP: High cancellation rates (21%) and seat wastage. Fraudulent practices like impersonation and touts exploiting longer booking windows. 88-90% of reservations occur within 60 days, making the longer ARP redundant.

• High cancellation rates (21%) and seat wastage.

• Fraudulent practices like impersonation and touts exploiting longer booking windows.

• 88-90% of reservations occur within 60 days, making the longer ARP redundant.

• Fraud prevention: A shorter booking window limits the ability of touts to block large numbers of tickets and reduces opportunities for impersonation and illegal seat allotment.

• Special exemptions: Foreign tourists: They can still book tickets up to 365 days in advance as part of a dedicated quota for planning long journeys. Certain trains like the Taj Express: These are exempt from ARP rules since tickets are typically booked just days in advance. General class tickets: Not affected by ARP since they are bought just before travel.

• Foreign tourists: They can still book tickets up to 365 days in advance as part of a dedicated quota for planning long journeys.

• Certain trains like the Taj Express: These are exempt from ARP rules since tickets are typically booked just days in advance.

• General class tickets: Not affected by ARP since they are bought just before travel.

Insta links:

• Indian-railways-stress-factors

• Growth-in-Indian-railways