Charting Clarity: Indian Railways Revamps Reservation Timings for Smoother Travel Planning

In a major passenger-friendly move, Indian Railways has revised its reservation chart preparation schedule to offer travelers more certainty and planning time. As per the new guidelines issued on July 2, 2025, the first reservation charts for trains departing between 5:00 am and 2:00 pm will now be prepared by 9:00 pm the previous night. For all other trains, the chart will be finalized eight hours before departure.

 

This marks a shift from the earlier norm of preparing charts four hours prior to departure, a system in place since 2015. The Railway Board stated that the change aims to reduce last-minute anxiety, especially for passengers with waitlisted tickets, allowing them to make alternate arrangements if needed.

 

The second reservation chart—used for current bookings and last-minute cancellations—will continue to be prepared 30 minutes to 5 minutes before departure.

 

Key Highlights:

Officials say the move is based on pilot projects and aims to standardize charting across zones, improving transparency and reducing uncertainty for millions of daily rail travelers.

 

Sources: The New Indian Express, Deccan Herald, India TV News