Doodlebrary

Doodlebrary

• The Tatkal scheme in Indian Railways is a reservation system that allows passengers to book tickets on a short notice basis.
• It was introduced to cater to the needs of passengers who need to travel urgently and cannot plan their trips well in advance.
• The Tatkal scheme provides an option to book tickets for various classes of travel, including sleeper class, AC 3-tier, AC 2-tier, and AC 1st class, on a first-come-first-served basis.
• Here are some key features and details of the Tatkal scheme in Indian Railways:

1. Booking Window: The Tatkal ticket booking window opens one day in advance of the date of the journey. For example, if your train is scheduled to depart on the 15th of the month, the Tatkal booking for that train will open at 10:00 AM on the 14th of the month.
2. Timing: Tatkal tickets can be booked online through the IRCTC website or at railway reservation counters. The online booking usually starts at 10:00 AM for AC classes and 11:00 AM for non-AC classes.
3. Limited Availability: The number of Tatkal tickets available for booking is limited and varies based on the train and class. This is to prevent misuse of the scheme.
4. Premium Charges: Tatkal tickets are priced higher than regular tickets. The charges are based on a percentage of the base fare, and they increase as the date of travel approaches.
5. Identity Verification: Passengers booking Tatkal tickets need to provide their ID proof details, which are verified during the journey. Ensure you carry the same ID proof during the journey.
6. Refund Rules: Tatkal tickets have stricter refund rules. In case of a cancellation, only a partial refund is provided. Detailed refund rules can be found on the official Indian Railways website.
7. No Waiting List: Tatkal bookings do not have a waiting list. If all Tatkal tickets are sold out, you cannot book a ticket in this scheme.
8. Agents: You can also book Tatkal tickets through authorized travel agents, but they may charge additional service fees.

• It’s important to keep in mind that Tatkal tickets can be in high demand, especially for popular routes and during the holiday seasons.
• Therefore, it’s advisable to book your Tatkal tickets as soon as the booking window opens to secure your reservation.
• Additionally, be prepared to pay higher fares compared to regular tickets due to the premium charges associated with the Tatkal scheme.