Indian Railways ticketing rules: Emergency quota rules tightened; same-day requests barred
The Indian Railways has issued a new circular revising its emergency quota (EQ) guidelines, requiring all requests to be submitted at least a day before travel.
The move, aimed at ensuring timely chart preparation and avoiding operational delays, follows recent changes in reservation chart timings and Tatkal bookings.
As per the circular issued on Tuesday, 'Emergency quota request for all the trains leaving between 0000 hours and 1400 hours should reach the EQ cell up to 1200 hours on the previous day of journey.'
For trains scheduled between 14:01 hours and 23:59 hours, the cutoff is 4:00 pm on the preceding day. Requests received on the same day as departure will no longer be accepted.
In case of Sundays or public holidays, EQ requests must be submitted on the previous working day.
'The requests for the release of accommodation in trains, for which the emergency quota is to be released on Sundays or clubbed holidays after Sundays, should be given during office hours on the previous working day,' the circular stated.
The Railway Board's EQ cell receives a high volume of requests from VIPs, senior officers, and other departments. The ministry acknowledged this, saying, 'All efforts are made to allot the quota judiciously and with common prudence.'
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around
Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List
Undo
Officers have been instructed to strictly adhere to the new submission timings to avoid disruptions. 'The allotments are given in time and chart preparation is not delayed, which not only results in extreme difficulties to the travelling public but can also lead to a delay in the departure of trains,' it added.
The ministry also directed forwarding authorities to verify the authenticity of each request and comply with existing guidelines to prevent misuse.
These changes come amid broader reforms to the ticketing system. Indian Railways recently revised its chart preparation time to eight hours before departure for better passenger clarity.
For trains leaving before 2:00 pm, reservation charts will now be finalised at 9:00 pm the previous evening.
Tatkal bookings have also seen reforms. From July 1, only verified users can book Tatkal tickets via IRCTC. OTP-based authentication is set to be rolled out by the end of the month.
Users will need to validate their identity using Aadhaar or other government IDs linked to DigiLocker.
A new passenger reservation system is also in the works and expected to go live by December 2025. As per ET, the upgraded system will be able to process 150,000 ticket bookings per minute, five times the current capacity, and handle 4 million enquiry requests per minute. It will feature a multilingual interface, allow users to choose seat preferences, view fare calendars, and provide dedicated booking features for Divyangjan, students, and patients.
Indian Railways is also considering a move to reduce or remove "clerkage" charges deducted from refunds on cancelled or unconfirmed waitlisted tickets.
Currently, passengers lose Rs 60 for reserved and Rs 30 for unreserved second-class tickets, even when cancelled online. If scrapped, this will offer significant relief to waitlisted travellers.
Stay informed with the latest
business
news, updates on
bank holidays
and
public holidays
.
AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Travis Kelce shares unseen romantic moments with Taylor Swift, reveals their adorable matching phone lock screens
Travis Kelce's offseason album with Taylor Swift (Instagram/killatrav) Travis Kelce has officially introduced Taylor Swift to his Instagram feed, giving followers an intimate glimpse into their offseason romance. The Kansas City Chiefs star shared a 13-photo carousel on July 24, marking a significant milestone in their two-year relationship. The post—his first to feature Swift—sparked a wave of excitement, subtly signaling just how serious and deeply bonded the couple has become. Travis Kelce makes it Instagram official with Taylor Swift Travis Kelce's post, captioned 'Had some adventures this offseason, kept it 💯,' showcased more than just picturesque travel moments—it unveiled the comfort and chemistry that has come to define his relationship with Swift. From a snow-kissed group photo in Big Sky, Montana, to sunlit escapes in hidden warm-weather destinations, the couple's shared downtime spoke volumes about their bond. Perhaps the most heartwarming detail fans noticed? Both Kelce and Swift appear to have the same photo of themselves as their phone lock screens—an understated yet deeply personal declaration of their affection. In one slide, Swift is spotted seated beside Kelce at a dinner table, while the glowing image of her on Kelce's phone adds another layer of charm. Swifties with a keen eye even caught the reflection of the same image on her phone, subtly visible beneath her drink. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Grant Home Access That's Actually Secure, Not Just Safe-Ish ADT Shop Now Undo This wasn't just a celebration of romantic moments. The carousel offered a broader view of Kelce's world—fishing trips with friends, Tight End University appearances, and even snapshots with his brother Jason and both of their parents. It painted a portrait of a man grounded by family, uplifted by friendship, and absolutely smitten with the woman by his side. Travis Kelce spent a great off-season with Taylor Swift According to a source close to the couple, 'It's been a turning point for their relationship in a lot of ways. They're incredibly happy and in sync. There's a calmness and ease to their relationship right now that's been really grounding for Taylor and Travis.' With Swift's Eras Tour officially wrapped, the pop sensation now has the flexibility to stand by Kelce more consistently throughout the NFL season—a shift she's reportedly excited about. The couple has been dividing their time between Nashville, New York, and quiet escapes, relishing rare moments away from the spotlight. Their June appearance in London—where Swift posted a photo with Kelce and the British royals—was another sign that the relationship is evolving beyond whispers and headlines. As Kelce dives into his 13th NFL season and Taylor cheers from the stands, it's clear that they're embracing each other's worlds wholeheartedly. With love that spans both glamorous red carpets and quiet getaways, they've managed to blend their larger-than-life careers with something beautifully grounded and personal. FAQs: 1. When did Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce first meet? Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce began dating privately in the summer of 2023 after he mentioned her on his podcast. 2. When did Taylor Swift first attend one of Travis Kelce's NFL games? Swift was first spotted at a Kansas City Chiefs game in September 2023, sitting with Kelce's mother. 3. Have Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce appeared on the red carpet together? Yes, they made their red carpet debut as a couple in June 2025. 4. When did Travis Kelce make his relationship with Taylor Swift Instagram official? Travis Kelce made his relationship Instagram official with Taylor Swift on July 24, 2025, through a 13-photo carousel post. Also Read: Faith Ward's bold ponytail challenges Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders' iconic style—and fans are split over the new look For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
From Bengaluru to Osaka: Loaded in crates, Bannerughatta Biological Park's 4 jumbos begin 20-hour flight trip
1 2 3 Bengaluru: Scripting a new chapter in wildlife conservation, four Asiatic elephants from Bannerughatta Biological Park (BBP) on the outskirts of Bengaluru embarked on an extraordinary journey from Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) to Osaka in Japan on Thursday night. Loaded onto a special chartered cargo flight (Boeing 777-200F) in a specially designed crate, the elephants were airlifted to Osaka in Japan. Flying for about 12 hours, the elephants will land in Osaka on Friday afternoon. On Saturday, the elephants—three females and one male—will proceed to Himeji Central Park-Safari Park, their new home for the rest of their lives, spanning a 20-hour long journey. This was the first-ever air transportation of elephants from BBP to an international destination, achieving a major milestone in the global zoological exchange of animals. The elephants will be accompanied by a team of veterinarians from BBP and Japan, as well as biologists and mahouts. Officials told TOI that over 25 BBP staff worked on this programme for close to six months, from designing the crates to training the elephants for the long-duration flight. "This was indeed a first experience for all of us. While the entire process itself was thrilling, it was filled with a lot of lessons," said AV Surya Sen, executive director of BBP. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Indonesia: New Container Houses (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search ads Undo by Taboola by Taboola You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru The elephants were trained for six months on how to live in a crate. "Every day, they were made to enter, stay, and relax inside the crates for 3 to 4 hours, making them acclimatised to the conditions. From designing crates to transportation, all steps were executed as per the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animals Regulations. The aircraft was chosen keeping in mind the total weight of the elephants, and the travel is funded by Japanese zoo officials," Sen said. The elephants, secured in special crates, were loaded onto a special truck using a special crane at BBP and transported to KIA. The flight will only carry these crates, and there will not be any other cargo. Veterinarians said all elephants were fed before entering the crates. "During the trip, we'll only provide them with light refreshments, including glucose, cucumber, and other fruits. After landing, they will be examined in Osaka, before the final journey to Himeji Park," said a supervisor. A team of veterinarians and mahouts will camp in Japan for a month to help Japanese officials in looking after the elephants.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
Hotels gear up for busy Independence Day weekend
NEW DELHI: Those planning last-minute bookings at their favourite locales for the upcoming Independence Day long weekend could face disappointment as hotels and resorts are reporting brisk advance demand. Some are 50-80% booked, while others have already sold out their inventory, according to executives. Room tariffs are also 10-15% higher over last year, the executives said. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category healthcare Digital Marketing Healthcare Artificial Intelligence Leadership Degree Technology Data Analytics PGDM Public Policy Cybersecurity others MCA Design Thinking Finance CXO Product Management Management Project Management Data Science Operations Management Others Data Science MBA Skills you'll gain: Duration: 11 Months IIM Lucknow CERT-IIML Healthcare Management India Starts on undefined Get Details The upcoming Independence Day long weekend is shaping up to be a strong travel period, with many travellers looking to make the most of the short break, said Nikhil Sharma , MD and COO, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group . by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 15 Most Beautiful Women in the World Undo "At Radisson, demand has been building steadily, with some resorts already securing over 75% occupancy a month in advance," he added. Sharma said travellers are increasingly willing to spend more on premium experiences and amenities, and the chain anticipates a further pickup in last-minute bookings as the weekend approaches. Destinations like Lonavala, Kumbhalgarh, Mamallapuram, Chennai, and Goa are seeing particular interest this season. Live Events Most of Leisure Hotel Group 's resorts across key leisure destinations in Uttarakhand including Rishikesh, Haridwar, Corbett, and Bhimtal, and in Himachal's Kasauli are already sold out, said Shahzad Aslam, head of sales at the chain. "In Rajasthan, our resorts in Ranthambore and Jaipur are seeing a promising uptick in bookings, with occupancy already nearing 80%. Goa is also performing steadily, currently at around 45% occupancy for the Independence Day week," he added. Tariffs are also 10-20% higher compared to a regular weekend. The weighted average occupancy rate at all Justa Hotels & Resorts is about 50%, said Ashish Vohra, co-founder and CEO. "Most of the properties in the hills are at 50% plus, except for Manali where travel is still a question mark. Some properties in Rajasthan in locations such as Udaipur and Ranthambore are crossing 65% occupancies," he said. "Rates are up 10-15% over the same time last year. Usually, considering the 15-30 days window, advance bookings and occupancies are about 15% of the business in advance, so this momentum is quite good," he added. Romil Pant, executive vice president and head of holidays at Thomas Cook (India), said cruise tourism is riding the wave of the long weekend demand, with strong interest for Indian coastal cruises and short-haul international sailings in Singapore and Malaysia. Based on Agoda's accommodation search data, topping the list of most popular destinations are Goa, Udaipur, Lonavala, Ooty, and Coorg. Gaurav Malik, country director for the Indian subcontinent and Indian Ocean islands at the company said Indian travellers are planning ahead and seeking experiences that blend relaxation with discovery. "Interestingly, this trend aligns with Agoda's recent findings on the rise of micro-travel - shorter, more frequent trips that allow people to recharge without major time or budget commitments," he added.
