- By Kamakshi Bishnoi
- Wed, 17 Dec 2025 09:31 PM (IST)
- Source:Jagran News Network
The Railway Board has once again revised the timing for preparation of the first reservation chart for trains across Indian Railways, with the changes aimed at providing passengers with earlier clarity on their booking status.
Under the new system, the first reservation chart for trains departing between 2 pm and 12 midnight, and before 5 am, will now be prepared at least 10 hours in advance. Earlier, this chart was prepared eight hours before departure.
For trains scheduled to depart between 5 am and 2 pm, the first reservation chart will now be prepared by 8 pm on the previous day, instead of the earlier deadline of 9 pm.
The revised guidelines were issued by the Railway Board through a letter dated December 16, addressed to all Principal Chief Commercial Managers (PCCMs) of Indian Railways and the Managing Director of the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS). The letter was issued by Sanjay Manocha, Director (Passenger Marketing-II).
According to the Railway Board, the change has been introduced to ensure that passengers receive timely information about their reservation status, particularly those travelling long distances from remote locations. The Board has directed officials to give priority to preparing the first chart as per the revised timelines.
The Railway Board has been making continuous adjustments to the reservation chart preparation process to make it more passenger-friendly and time-bound. On November 18, Director (Passenger Marketing) Praveen Kumar had instructed all zonal railways to prepare the first reservation chart automatically at least eight hours before departure, failing which the system would finalise it automatically. At that time, trains departing between 5 am and 2 pm continued to follow the 9 pm previous-day schedule.
Earlier, a similar change was communicated on July 2, following which, from July 8, trains departing between 2 pm and 5 am had their first chart prepared eight hours in advance, while trains departing between 5 am and 2 pm had charts prepared by 9 pm the previous day.
The Railway Board has clarified that there is no change in the timing of the second reservation chart, which will continue to be prepared as per existing norms.