PNR Status gives us the train name and number, boarding date, class of travel, from the station and to the station, boarding station and reservation up-to, number of passengers, coach position (shows when a train arrives at the station; otherwise, it shows blank), total fare, chart status (chart prepared or chart not prepared), train running status, booking, and current status information.
The full form of PNR is Passenger Name Record; it is a unique ten-digit number that is allocated to every train ticket booked from Indian railways. Every train ticket has a PNR number, whether you have booked a ticket online through IRCTC or physically at the PRS counter. A single PNR no. can include up to six passengers in the case of a group booking.
The CRIS (Center of Railway Information Systems) runs a centralized database where all the information about passengers is stored. The system automatically generates a unique ten-digit PNR number every time a person buys an Indian Railways ticket, whether online through the official IRCTC website or any other travel website or at PRS ticket counters. The generated PNR no. remains valid till the end of the trip, and after a certain interval of time, the old PNR is flushed out of the CRIS database.
There are many ways through which passengers can enquire about their ticket PNR status. The most popular ways are listed below:
If your ticket is on the waiting list, its status is frequently updated to lower waiting lists or confirmed when people cancel their tickets. This process is real-time, and that is why you should check PNR status more often on this webpage. Besides, you can install the Indian Train App on your handheld device to get an update on your ticket status regularly.
Generally, the PNR number is printed at the top left corner of the I-Ticket purchased from the railway's PRS counter. In the case of an e-ticket, which is reserved online through IRCTC or any other travel web portal, it is printed at the top in a separate column.
Usually, the PNR number gets flushed after a few days of the end journey date but remains in the CRS system, but after 9 months, it gets flushed permanently. CRS can generate this same PNR no. after a period of 12 months.
No, one can't get these details when checking railway PNR status live on Indian Railway or any other portal due to privacy concerns, but a person who has reserved an e-ticket through IRCTC can see these details by logging into his or her account.
If a person has reserved an e-ticket and somehow forgets to take a print of that ticket but memorizes the PNR number, then there will be no issue if he or she carries a valid ID proof. He can also show text SMS received from IRCTC in place of a printout. If a passenger does not have both SMS and printout out, then a penalty of ₹ 50 will be charged by TTE. In the case of an I-ticket or counter ticket, the passenger needs to carry the ticket as well as valid ID proof. Anyhow, if the passenger lost the ticket but remembered the PNR number, then one can request the duplicate ticket from a nearby PRS counter.
RAC (Reservation against Cancellation): When your ticket shows this status, it means you will get to travel in your chosen class, but you have to satisfy yourself only by using the sitting facility. You will get a side lower berth, which you will have to share with your co-passenger. If you are lucky enough, you might get a complete seat due to the last-minute cancellation of tickets. TTE may also allocate you a seat if vacant seats are available.
If your ticket was on the waiting list at the time of reservation and now it is confirmed, then you will get your seat and bogie number after the chart preparation. Normally, a chart is prepared 4 hours before the train commences its journey from the source station. You can have your seat and coach number simply:
Yes, if a person has opted for upgrade while reserving a railway ticket, then the railway can upgrade the ticket of that passenger if vacant seats are available in a higher class to provide alternate accommodation. So, while checking Indian Railway PNR status, when you find out that your seat is in an AC coach despite booking a sleeping class, do not panic but consider yourself lucky.
The train is canceled only under inevitable circumstances. Passengers can check PNR status live on Indian Train to find out whether the train is canceled or not. In such cases, passengers with e-tickets do not need to file TDR; their tickets automatically get canceled, and the entire booking amount is credited back to their account. However, in the case of an I-ticket, you need to cancel the ticket at a nearby railway station up to 72 hours after the scheduled departure of the train.
Passengers need to carry a valid proof of identification during their journey. This is applicable for e-tickets as well as i-tickets.
The following ID proofs are considered valid:
If a passenger has reserved an e-ticket through IRCTC, then he or she is allowed to change their boarding station from any railway station that falls within their route. This can be done 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure of the train from the source station. You are allowed to change your boarding point only once. This facility is not available for I-Ticket passengers.