IRCTC Ticket: Indian Railways allows passengers to book train tickets up to three months in advance of departure. If you are unable to secure a confirmed ticket, the Railways provides a Tatkal quota, which becomes available one day prior to the train’s departure. However, obtaining a confirmed ticket through this option is not guaranteed for everyone.
Current Ticket System
In such situations, the IRCTC’s “Current Ticket System” can be beneficial. This system enables ticket bookings even after the train’s chart has been finalized. According to the IRCTC website, “Current booking refers to the reservation of vacant seats after the chart has been prepared.”
It is important to note that the chart for any train is created four hours before its scheduled departure. You can book a current ticket up to 3.5 hours after the chart is finalized. For instance, if a train is set to leave at 5 PM, its chart will be prepared at 1 PM, allowing you to book a current ticket from 1 PM to 4:30 PM.
How to book confirm ticket through IRCTC app
To reserve a current ticket via the IRCTC app, log in and input your destination. Since you are booking a current ticket, ensure that the travel date matches the booking date. For example, if you require a ticket for February 26, 2025, you should enter that date accordingly. A list of trains operating on that route for the specified date will be displayed. Choose your preferred class or compartment, and tickets will be indicated as CURR_AVBL, which will only appear if current tickets are available.
