Every year in October, lakhs of families from Delhi, Mumbai and Surat try to book the same trains home to Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh for Diwali and Chhath. Most tickets go within minutes of opening. Since 1 November 2024, the IRCTC 60 day booking rule decides exactly when that opening happens. This guide explains how the date is counted and how families plan around it.
The IRCTC 60 day booking rule in one line
General-quota booking opens at 8:00 AM, 60 days before the journey date, not counting the journey day itself. For a journey on 20 December, booking opens on 21 October.
Opening date = journey date − 60 days Tatkal = one day before journey (10:00 AM AC, 11:00 AM non-AC)
What changed in November 2024?
The advance reservation period was 120 days until 31 October 2024. From 1 November 2024 it became 60 days. Tickets already booked under the 120-day window remained valid.
Count from the train's starting date
The 60 days are counted from the date the train leaves its originating station, not your boarding station. If you board at 2 AM at an intermediate station on a train that started the previous evening, the booking date is based on the previous day. This catches many people out on long-distance trains.
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A festival planning calendar
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| About 70 days before | Shortlist two or three trains and a backup boarding station |
| About 65 days before | Update the IRCTC master passenger list; make sure the account is Aadhaar-verified |
| Day before opening | Check UPI limits and app login; note the exact opening date |
| Opening day, 7:50 AM | Log in, open the train, keep passenger list and payment ready |
| If waitlisted | Watch the chart prediction; consider Tatkal one day before the journey |
Habits that improve the odds
- Use the master list so passenger names fill with one tap.
- Pay with UPI or a saved card; net banking redirects take longer.
- Book one PNR per family group to avoid splitting seats.
- Try nearby stations: a train's quota at its origin is often larger than at intermediate stops.
- Avoid third-party auto-fill tools; IRCTC warns against them and they can cause account blocks.
The IRCTC date calculator shows the exact opening date and time for any journey date, plus the Tatkal opening, so the alarm can be set well in advance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the IRCTC 60 day booking rule?
General-quota tickets open at 8:00 AM, 60 days before the journey date, not counting the journey day.
When does Tatkal booking open?
One day before the journey: 10:00 AM for AC classes and 11:00 AM for non-AC classes.
Is the 60 days counted from my boarding station?
No, from the date the train starts from its originating station.
When did the 120-day rule change to 60 days?
From 1 November 2024.
How can I improve my chances of a confirmed ticket?
Log in early, use the master passenger list, pay by UPI, and consider booking from the train's starting station.
Keep reading
- IRCTC Date Calculator: the free tool this guide explains.
- All math & utility calculators
Sources: Indian Railways: advance reservation period reduced from 120 to 60 days from 1 November 2024; IRCTC Tatkal timings.