Indian Railways to release ticket status 10 hours before departure; over 6,000 stations get free Wi-Fi: all you need to know about the new change

Indian Railways introduces 10-hour ticket status updates and free Wi-Fi at 6,117 stations for a smoother, stress-free travel experience. (Representative Image)

In a major passenger-friendly reform, Indian Railways has revised its reservation chart preparation timeline, allowing travellers to check their ticket status up to 10 hours before a train’s departure. The move is aimed at reducing last-minute anxiety—particularly for passengers on waiting list (WL) and RAC tickets—and helping people plan their journeys with greater clarity.

Until now, the first reservation chart was prepared just four hours before departure, often leaving passengers uncertain about confirmation until the very last moment.

Under the earlier system, many passengers reached stations without knowing whether their WL or RAC tickets had been confirmed. In several cases, confirmations came too late, resulting in wasted time, extra expenses, and unnecessary stress. The delayed chart preparation frequently left travellers confused and unsure about whether to proceed with their journey at all—especially those travelling long distances or coming from smaller towns.

Railway officials said the revised timeline was necessary to ease this uncertainty and allow passengers to make informed decisions well in advance.

Under the updated system, chart preparation will now depend on the train’s departure time:

Trains departing between 5:00 am and 2:00 pm: First reservation chart will be prepared by 8:00 pm on the previous day.

Trains departing between 2:01 pm and 11:59 pm, and between 12:00 midnight and 5:00 am: First reservation chart will be prepared 10 hours before departure.

This is the first formal update to the chart preparation schedule by the Railway Board and marks a significant shift towards passenger convenience.

With earlier access to ticket status, travellers can now:

• Plan or cancel accommodation in time.
• Arrange connecting trains, buses, or flights.
• Make alternate travel plans if tickets remain unconfirmed.
• Avoid unnecessary trips to the station.

The change is expected to be especially helpful during peak travel periods and festive seasons, when last-minute uncertainty is at its highest.

The Railway Board has instructed all zonal railways to implement the revised chart preparation system with immediate effect. Officials say the move will improve transparency, reduce anxiety, and significantly enhance the overall travel experience for millions of rail users across the country.

Alongside reservation reforms, Indian Railways continues to strengthen passenger facilities and safety infrastructure.

Free Wi-Fi at stations: Free Wi-Fi services are now available at 6,117 railway stations nationwide. Passengers only need a mobile number to receive an OTP—no personal information is required beyond that. The railway administration takes prompt action whenever Wi-Fi-related issues are reported.

Expanded CCTV surveillance: To improve safety, CCTV surveillance systems have been installed at 1,731 stations and 11,953 coaches so far. These systems are funded under capital expenditure.

At New Delhi Railway Station, CCTV cameras already cover entry and exit points, foot over bridges, platforms, waiting halls, and ticket counters. Following infrastructure expansion after February 15, 2025, additional cameras were installed. The station now has 250 CCTV cameras in total.

This information was shared by Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply to questions in the Lok Sabha.

By allowing passengers to know their ticket status up to 10 hours in advance, Indian Railways is addressing one of the most common pain points of train travel. Combined with improved digital access, free station Wi-Fi, and enhanced security measures, the revised chart preparation system marks another step towards a smoother, more predictable, and passenger-centric rail travel experience.