Big Changes in Indian Railways: New Reservation System, Tatkal Rules & Fare Hike

Indian Railways’ Major Booking & Reservation Upgrades
Indian Railways is rolling out significant changes to improve ticketing efficiency and passenger convenience. Here’s what’s new:

1. Faster Chart Preparation & Increased Waiting List Quota
Train charts will now be prepared 8 hours before departure (instead of 4 hours), reducing last-minute uncertainty.
The waiting list quota for AC coaches has been raised from 25% to 60%, benefiting more passengers.

2. Modern Passenger Reservation System (PRS) by December 2025
Developed by CRIS (Centre for Railway Information Systems), the new system will handle 1.5 lakh bookings per minute (up from 32,000).
Enquiry capacity will jump from 4 lakh to 40 lakh per minute, ensuring real-time updates for millions.

3. Aadhaar Mandatory for Tatkal Bookings from July 1
Passengers booking Tatkal tickets must now provide Aadhaar details to curb fraudulent bookings.
Expected to streamline the process as Indian Railways targets 7.57 billion passengers in FY26.

4. Second-Class Fare Hike from July 1
Fares increase by 0.5 paisa/km beyond 500 km (first hike since 2020).
Mail/Express trains: +1 paisa/km
AC classes: +2 paisa/km
Example: Delhi-Howrah 3AC fare rises from ~₹1.13/km.
Suburban & monthly passes remain unchanged.

Why is This Important for Exams?
Competitive exams like SSC, PSC, RRB, and banking tests frequently include questions on:
Government policies & reforms
Indian Railways updates (a major GK topic)
Current affairs (July 2024 changes)
Economic impact of fare revisions
Knowing these updates helps in scoring high in General Awareness sections.


Sample Questions & Answers for Competitive Exams
Q: What is the new waiting list quota for AC classes in Indian Railways?
A: Increased from 25% to 60%.
Q: When will the Modern Passenger Reservation System (PRS) be launched?
A: By December 2025.
Q: What is mandatory for Tatkal bookings from July 1, 2024?
A: Aadhaar details.
Q: How much will second-class fares increase beyond 500 km?
A: 0.5 paisa per km.
Q: Which organization is implementing the new PRS system?
A: Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS).

How to Smartly Prepare for Entrance Exams in Less Time
Most Predicted Questions: Save time with MyEntrance.in’s high-probability questions for SSC, PSC, and more.
Last-Minute Prep: Our condensed study notes cover crucial topics like Railways updates.
Current Affairs & GK: Stay ahead with MyEntrance’s Daily GK updates tailored for exams.
Pro Tip: Focus on recent changes (like Railways reforms)—they’re frequently asked!