Indian Railways Railway Tatkal Train Tickets changes for April 25 – Check New Timings, Process & Guidelines

Tatkal Booking : Indian Railways is set to implement major changes to the Tatkal ticket booking process starting April 25, and passengers must stay informed to avoid last-minute confusion and missed journeys. These changes, which affect booking timings, payment modes, cancellation rules, and quotas, are aimed at reducing misuse and streamlining the ticket reservation process. Whether you are a frequent traveler or planning a one-time journey, understanding the revised guidelines is essential.

This article gives you a complete breakdown of the new Tatkal ticket booking system—covering everything from updated timings to cancellation policies. Let’s dive into all the critical updates you need to know before booking your next train ticket under the Tatkal scheme.

What is Tatkal Booking and Why is it Changing?

Tatkal is a scheme introduced by Indian Railways to provide emergency travel tickets to passengers at short notice. While it has served millions of passengers over the years, the Tatkal system has faced issues such as agent misuse, technical glitches, and poor availability due to demand-supply gaps.

To improve transparency, increase accessibility, and curb misuse, Indian Railways has introduced a set of revisions to the Tatkal booking structure starting April 25.

New Tatkal Booking Timings from April 25

One of the most important changes relates to the revised booking timings for Tatkal tickets. Here is a table summarizing the updated timings based on class type:

Booking Class	Previous Timing	New Timing (From April 25)	Days in Advance	Booking Start Time
AC Class (1A, 2A, 3A, CC)	10:00 AM one day before	11:00 AM one day before	1 day	11:00 AM
Non-AC Class (SL, 2S)	11:00 AM one day before	12:00 PM one day before	1 day	12:00 PM
Premium Tatkal (PT)	10:00 AM one day before	10:30 AM one day before	1 day	10:30 AM
Current Reservation	Starts 4 hours before departure	Unchanged	Same day	4 hours before dep.
Agents Booking Allowed	Yes	No (10 AM to 12 PM)	NA	Blocked during peak
IRCTC Website Load Time	Moderate	Optimized for High Load	NA	Reduced wait time

Key Takeaway: The new timing structure prioritizes direct passenger access and prevents travel agents from booking during the crucial first two hours.

Updated Process for Booking Tatkal Tickets

The process for booking Tatkal tickets on the IRCTC website and mobile app has also been upgraded for better efficiency. Here are the key steps to follow under the new system:

• Log in to IRCTC website (www.irctc.co.in) or mobile app
• Select your preferred train and class (AC/Non-AC)
• Choose “Tatkal” quota from the drop-down
• Enter passenger details and ID proof number
• Proceed to the payment page and complete the booking

New Changes in Process:

• Auto-filled passenger details for registered users to save time
• Payment timeout increased from 3 minutes to 5 minutes
• Captcha verification simplified to reduce booking errors
• Unified login system for both app and website

Important Notes:

• A maximum of 4 passengers can be booked under one Tatkal PNR.
• No concession is applicable under Tatkal quota.
• ID proof is mandatory at the time of travel.

See more : Book IRCTC Tatkal Tickets in Seconds 

Revised Cancellation and Refund Rules

Tatkal tickets have always had strict cancellation policies, but the revised structure adds more clarity and standardization.

Ticket Status	Refund Before Change	Refund After April 25	Cut-Off Time	Special Notes
Confirmed Tatkal	No Refund	No Refund	NA	Unchanged
Waitlisted Tatkal	Full Refund	Full Refund	Before Chart	Auto cancelled if not confirmed
Partially Confirmed	No Refund on Confirmed	Refund on WL Passengers	Before Chart	Refund for unconfirmed passengers only
Cancelled Train	Full Refund	Full Refund	Any Time	Applies automatically
TDR Filing Deadline	24 hours	48 hours	Within 2 Days	File via IRCTC or zonal railway offices

Important: Refunds will be processed within 7 working days to the original payment source.

Tatkal Quota and Pricing Changes

Indian Railways has made modifications in Tatkal fare structures to maintain fairness while also optimizing revenue. Here’s how the fare slabs have changed:

Travel Class	Old Tatkal Charges	New Tatkal Charges	Fare Increase (%)	Additional Fee
Sleeper (SL)	₹100 – ₹200	₹150 – ₹300	25-30%	₹10 IRCTC Fee
3AC	₹300 – ₹400	₹400 – ₹500	20-25%	₹20 IRCTC Fee
2AC	₹400 – ₹500	₹500 – ₹600	20%	₹25 IRCTC Fee
1AC	₹500 – ₹600	₹600 – ₹700	15%	₹25 IRCTC Fee
Chair Car	₹125 – ₹225	₹150 – ₹250	10-15%	₹15 IRCTC Fee
Premium Tatkal	Dynamic Pricing	Enhanced Dynamic	Variable	₹30 IRCTC Fee

Note: Tatkal fare is in addition to the base fare. Dynamic pricing applies in Premium Tatkal on real-time demand.

Special Guidelines and Advisory for Passengers

To make the best use of the Tatkal scheme, passengers should follow these guidelines:

• Avoid login during peak hours using shared or low-speed internet
• Prepare passenger details in advance and save in the IRCTC profile
• Use UPI or Net Banking for faster payments (credit cards may take longer)
• Avoid multiple browser tabs as they can lead to session expiration
• Ensure accurate ID details while booking, as mismatches may lead to denial of boarding

Tips to Successfully Book Tatkal Tickets:

• Log in at least 5 minutes before booking opens
• Keep a preferred payment method pre-loaded
• Use IRCTC’s official Lite App for better performance during peak hours
• Avoid third-party booking platforms for Tatkal to reduce risk of failure

Who Will Be Most Affected?

These changes are expected to impact several types of passengers differently:

Category	Impact Level	Reason	Recommendation
Daily Business Travelers	High	Depend on last-minute booking	Plan 1 day in advance
Tourists and Families	Medium	May face pricing increase in AC classes	Consider Non-AC Tatkal or planning early
Agents and Middlemen	Very High	Booking window blocked	Use general quota or plan ahead
Senior Citizens	Low	Concession not applicable anyway	Book in General Quota for benefits
Students	Medium	No discounts under Tatkal	Prefer early booking in General Quota

With the Indian Railways implementing significant changes in the Tatkal ticket booking system from April 25, it is crucial for passengers to stay updated and plan their journeys accordingly. The revised timings, stricter agent restrictions, enhanced refund policies, and new pricing structures aim to make the process more transparent and efficient for genuine travelers.

All information provided in this article is based on the official notifications by Indian Railways as of April 2025. Passengers are advised to refer to the IRCTC website or official railway sources for real-time updates. This article is intended for informational purposes only and may be subject to change.