Booking opens based on the train's origin station departure date.
Select a journey date to see booking windows
Applies to regular Express and Mail trains. Special trains (Suvidha, Holiday Special, Duronto) may have a different or shorter ARP. Trains crossing railway zone boundaries can occasionally open a few minutes later. During high-demand periods IRCTC may experience delays — be logged in and ready before 8 AM to be safe.
Understanding the IRCTC 60-Day Booking Window
India's Advance Reservation Period (ARP) was reduced from 120 days to 60 days in November 2024. This means you can now book a train ticket at most 60 days before the journey date — not earlier. The change affected all classes and all train types.
From January 2026, IRCTC made Aadhaar verification mandatory for booking AC-class tickets (1A, 2A, 3A, CC, EC). If your account isn't Aadhaar-linked, you can still book Sleeper class without it. Link your Aadhaar in your IRCTC profile before the booking window opens.
The 8 AM IST sharp rule is critical. Seats on popular trains — especially Friday evenings and routes around festivals — sell out within minutes of the booking window opening. Being 5–10 minutes late can mean the difference between a confirmed berth and WL 40.
How It Works
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the T-60 rule for IRCTC booking?expand_more
The T-60 rule means IRCTC opens advance booking for a train exactly 60 days before the journey date (counting from the train's origin station departure). Booking opens at 8:00 AM IST on that day.
What time does IRCTC booking open?expand_more
Standard advance (T-60) booking opens at 8:00 AM IST. Tatkal booking opens at 10:00 AM IST for AC classes (1A, 2A, 3A, CC, EC) and 11:00 AM IST for Sleeper class, one day before the journey date.
What is Tatkal booking in IRCTC?expand_more
Tatkal is a last-minute booking quota that opens one day before the journey date. It carries a higher fare (Tatkal charges) but gives you a confirmed seat at short notice. Tatkal AC opens at 10 AM and Tatkal Sleeper at 11 AM IST.
Does T-60 include the journey day itself?expand_more
No. The T-60 count is 60 days before the journey date, not including the journey day itself. For example, if you travel on 1 August, your T-60 booking date is 2 June.
What if the T-60 booking date falls on a Sunday?expand_more
IRCTC operates 24/7, including Sundays and public holidays. Your booking window opens at 8:00 AM IST on the T-60 date regardless of the day of the week.
Is T-60 calculated from origin or boarding station?expand_more
T-60 is always calculated from the train's origin station departure date, not your boarding station. If your train originates in Mumbai but you board in Pune, use Mumbai's departure date as the journey date for the T-60 calculation.
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