Indian Railway: Do you often get worried about train tickets at the last moment? Indian Railways has made these rules easier than before. Railways have made important changes in the rules related to Emergency Quota (EQ) tickets. The new rules will make it easier for needy passengers to get seats in times of emergency.
Emergency Quota
According to the new instructions of the Railway Ministry, now to get a ticket in EQ quota, it will be mandatory to apply within the stipulated timeline one day before the journey. Like before, now you will not be able to apply for EQ on the day of train departure. If the train departs between 12 pm to 2 pm, then the request for EQ should reach the cell related to it by 12 noon one day before.
If the departure time of the train is between 2:01 pm to 11:59 pm, then EQ application has to be given by 4 pm on the previous day. Now the chances of getting an EQ seat at the last minute have reduced. Also, if the train is on Sunday or a government holiday, then the application has to be given on the working day one day before.
Who gets emergency quota?
EQ quota is mainly reserved for government officials, MPs and high official request holders. However, if no seat request is received from these, then priority is given to those applying due to medical emergency, job interview or family reasons. Here seat allotment is done on the basis of need.
Earlier these important changes happened in July
1. The chart will be made first
Now the reservation chart of trains will be prepared 8 hours before the departure of the train. For example, if your train leaves before 2 pm, then its chart will be prepared at 9 pm the day before. This will help those on the waiting list to know quickly whether they got a seat or not.
2. Ticket booking by agents is limited
Railways has implemented this rule from 1 July 2025 that registered agents will not be able to book tickets in certain periods. This will give more opportunities to common passengers and the chances of blocking will be reduced.
3. OTP is now mandatory for instant ticket booking
OTP verification has been made mandatory for booking Tatkal tickets through computerized counters or agents from July 15, 2025. This will reduce fraud.
4. Aadhaar is necessary to book tickets from IRCTC
Now Aadhaar authentication will be necessary to book Tatkal tickets from IRCTC website or app. This rule has come into effect from 1 July 2025. Ticket booking will not be easy without Aadhaar verification.