Starting July 1, 2025, Indian Railways will implement a significant change in its reservation charting process. The time of preparation for reservation charts will now be extended to eight hours prior to a train’s departure, doubling the current four-hour window. This move, approved by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, is aimed at reducing the number of uncertain passengers, especially those in rural and suburban areas.

For trains departing before 2 p.m., the reservation charts will now be prepared by 9 p.m. the previous night, a shift from the current 6 p.m. timeline. For all other trains, the charts will be ready eight hours prior to departure. This staggered implementation will ensure a smooth transition.

Next-Generation PRS System to Launch by December 2025

The Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) is set to roll out a modernised Passenger Reservation System (PRS) by December 2025. This upgraded system promises to revolutionise the booking experience with enhanced speed and features:

• Booking Capacity: Capable of processing 1.5 lakh bookings per minute, up from the current 32,000.

• Inquiry Load: Will handle 40 lakh inquiries per minute, a tenfold increase from the present 4 lakh.

• User Interface: Multilingual and interactive, with features such as seat selection and fare calendars.

Aadhaar-Based Verification for Tatkal Bookings

In another key update, starting July 1, 2025, Aadhaar or DigiLocker-based government ID verification will be mandatory for all Tatkal bookings. This will soon be followed by OTP-based authentication expected later in July 2025. These changes aim to enhance the security and transparency of the Tatkal booking process.

Anticipated Surge in Passenger Traffic

These reforms are timely, aligning with the expected increase in railway usage. The Ministry of Railways anticipates 7.57 billion passenger trips in FY 2026, compared to 7.27 billion in FY 2025.

A New Era for Indian Railways

These sweeping changes mark a significant milestone in the modernisation of Indian Railways. By upgrading both the technical infrastructure and passenger services, the railways aim to deliver a more efficient, transparent, and comfortable travel experience for millions of daily passengers across the country.