One of the most important rules for getting confirmed train tickets is understanding the 60-day Advance Reservation Period (ARP). Booking at or near the ARP opening gives you the best chance of confirmed berths.
What Is ARP (Advance Reservation Period)?
ARP is the maximum number of days before the journey date that IRCTC allows ticket booking. The current ARP for most trains is 60 days (not counting the day of booking). So for a journey on 10 September, you can start booking from 11 July at 8:00 AM.
ARP Opening Schedule
| Booking Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Regular (GNWL) | 60 days before journey, 8:00 AM | 4 hours before departure |
| Tatkal (AC) | 1 day before journey, 10:00 AM | 2 hours before departure |
| Tatkal (Non-AC) | 1 day before journey, 11:00 AM | 2 hours before departure |
| Premium Tatkal | 1 day before journey, 10:00 AM | 2 hours before departure |
Why Booking at ARP Opening Matters
The moment ARP opens at 8:00 AM, all available berths in the quota are fresh. Booking in the first few minutes gives you the best chance of a confirmed berth rather than ending up on a long waitlist. For high-demand routes (Delhi–Mumbai, Delhi–Howrah), tickets on popular trains sell out within hours of ARP opening.
How to Book at ARP Opening
- Calculate your ARP date: Journey date minus 60 days = ARP opening date
- Log into IRCTC by 7:50 AM on the ARP opening date
- Search for your train and have passenger details ready
- As soon as 8:00 AM hits, complete the booking quickly
- Use saved passenger list and a fast payment method (IRCTC Wallet is fastest)
Special Trains and Different ARP Rules
Certain trains (festival specials, Suvidha trains) have shorter ARP windows or different opening times. Holiday special trains may open for booking only 30 days in advance. Always check the specific train's booking rules on IRCTC.
Can I Modify a Booking Made 60 Days in Advance?
The destination and class cannot be changed after booking. Boarding station can be changed (up to 24 hours before departure). Passenger names can sometimes be corrected for minor errors (first few characters) by contacting IRCTC support.
Track your advance booking PNR status at PNR Alert.