The Railway Board has announced a reduction in the advance reservation period for train seats, lowering it from 120 days to 60 days effective November 1, 2024. According to a circular dated October 16, 2024, the change will apply to all bookings made from November 1 onward, with the 60-day window excluding the date of the journey.
“It has been decided that w.e.f 01.11.2024, the existing time limit for advance reservation by trains will be reduced from 120 days to 60 days (excluding the date of journey),” a Railway Board’s circular, dated Oct 16, 2024, said.
The circular also clarified that bookings made up to October 31 under the current 120-day Advance Reservation Period (ARP) will remain valid. No reason was provided for the reduction in ARP, but cancellations for reservations made beyond the new 60-day limit will still be allowed.
The Railway Board further stated that the advance reservation time limits for certain daytime express trains, such as the Taj Express and Gomti Express, will remain unchanged, as these already have shorter booking windows.
“There will be no change in the case of certain day time express trains like Taj Express, Gomti Express etc where lower time limits for advance reservation are, at present in force,” the Board’s circular said.
The 365-day limit for foreign tourists will also remain unaffected. This adjustment marks a shift from the previous policy implemented on March 25, 2015, when the Ministry of Railways had extended the ARP from 60 days to 120 days.
(With inputs from PTI)