Train Reservation Chart

Train Chart: All you need to know

A train chart is a list containing passenger details about their seat berth allocations. This data is available with TTE (Traveling Ticket Examiner), who checks and confirms the onboarded passengers in a live-running train. Now this data is also available online through Indian Railways as an IRCTC Reservation Chart vacancy for public use. But note that this online chart would be available only after it was prepared and also would not contain passenger name details for their privacy and safety.

IRCTC charting allocates seats to passengers before a train departure, assigning berths and coach numbers based on ticket status. Passengers can cancel tickets after chart preparation, four hours before departure. Name, gender, age, and boarding station information can be checked on the chart. In conclusion, The IRCTC chart consists of journey and passenger-related information to help them identify their seat or berth, followed by ticket status.

Chart Preparation time

Generally, chart preparation time is 4 hours before the train scheduled time, and the final/second chart is prepared before 30 minutes of departure. For early morning trains, this chart is prepared the night before for hassle-free onboarding. To summarize:

• Express and Mail Express Trains: 4 to 6 hours before departure.
• Passenger Trains: 2 to 3 hours before departure.
• Superfast Trains: 8 to 10 hours before departure.
• Early Morning trains: In the night before after 8pm.
• Special Events: During peak travel seasons or special events, charts might be prepared earlier.

Train chart preparation

• Seat/Berth Allocation: Assigning specific seats or berths to passengers.
• Boarding Information: Providing platform numbers and coach positions.
• Passenger Details: Maintaining records of passengers and their bookings.
• Cancellation and Refund: Determining eligibility for refunds and cancellation charges.
• Train Operations: Assisting railway staff in managing train operations.

Train chart contains

• Train Number and Name: The unique identifier and name of the train.
• Date of Journey: The date on which the train is scheduled to depart.
• Coach Positions & Number: Coach positions in order and number of each coach. 
• Passenger Name: The full name of the passenger. 
• PNR Number: The unique 10-digit Passenger Name Record number.
• Berth/Seat Number: The specific seat or berth assigned to the passenger. 
• Boarding Station: The station from where the passenger will board the train. 
• Destination Station: The final destination of the passenger's journey.  
• Class of Travel: The class of the ticket, such as First AC, Second AC, Third AC, Sleeper, or General.
• Waiting List Status: The current status of the passenger's ticket, whether it's confirmed, RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation), or on the waiting list.  

Train Chart Status

• Status primarily refers to the status of the chart preparation process.
• Withdrawn: The chart is not yet prepared.
• Prepared: The chart is ready, and you can check your seat/berth allocation.
• Cancelled: The train has been canceled.
• Rescheduled: The train's departure time or route has been changed.
• Chart Not Prepared: If you try to check the chart before it is prepared, you get this message.

Checking Chart Status

• IRCTC Website: Visit the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website and use the “irctc reservation chart vacancy” option.
• Indian Railways Passenger Reservation Enquiry: Go to the Indian Railways Passenger Reservation Enquiry website and check the “Seat Availability” section.
• Third-Party Apps: Several third-party apps offer train chart checking services, namely IRCTC official app, Rail Reservation Chart and Train Chart App.

Booking ticket after chart preparation

You can book train tickets after the first chart preparation. After that, in a running train, you need to contact TTE to allocate any empty seats. You can travel on a WL ticket only for the physical ticket. E-tickets waiting list tickets anyway get auto-cancelled before the final chart preparation, that is, 30 minutes before departure if they don't become confirmed tickets.

Train Chart helpful informational videos