Train tickets can still be booked after chart is prepared, through current booking on IRCTC

Many passengers believe that once the reservation chart is prepared, a train ticket can no longer be had. But Indian Railways has a facility called current booking, through which seats left vacant can be booked even after the first chart is made. Whether a ticket is available depends on the train, route, class and the seats left.

The time at which charts are prepared has also changed. In July 2025, the Railway Board revised the schedule for preparing the first chart. Under Commercial Circular No. 10 of 2025, the chart for trains departing between 5 am and 2 pm is preferably to be prepared by 9 pm the previous day. The chart for trains departing between 2 pm and 5 am should be prepared eight hours before departure. This gives passengers an idea in advance, though whether a ticket is actually available rests on the train and the booking system.

Current booking issues only confirmed tickets. According to IRCTC's train information, RAC or waitlisted tickets are not issued under this facility. So it is useful for anyone who wants a confirmed berth. It differs from ordinary advance reservation because it operates close to departure. If all seats have already been allotted, a ticket may not be available in the class or on the route of your choice.

To check for seats, open IRCTC's official website or its authorised app. Enter the origin station, destination station and date of travel, then choose the train and class. Check whether booking is open for your journey. If current booking is showing, select the confirmed ticket option, fill in passenger details, make the payment and finally be sure to check the booking confirmation. Payment alone is not proof that a ticket has been issued.

Seat availability also varies with the portion of the journey. A passenger travelling between two intermediate stations will not see the same position as one travelling the full route, so enter your exact boarding and destination stations when checking. One train may have a seat in a class while another does not. If no seat is found, you can look at another train, another class or a later date.

If you already hold a ticket, checking the PNR status shows whether it is confirmed or waitlisted. The status can change before the chart is prepared, so look at the latest information. Checking a PNR and booking a new ticket are two different things. Train tickets can also be booked and checked on platforms such as Goibibo, but for railway rules and reliable information, consult Railway enquiry or IRCTC.

If the date is fixed in advance, advance booking is more dependable. Current booking is useful when plans are made suddenly and a confirmed ticket is needed close to departure.