Tatkal Quota

Tatkal quota plays an important role in catering to the last-minute travel needs of passengers. There might be some emergency or an event that you cannot afford to miss. Getting tickets at the last minute is a challenging task. With so many people booking train tickets for their desired route, there is a chance that they will need help to confirm their reservations. In such cases, Indian Railways offers quotas for passengers in different sectors, such as defence, senior citizens, government employees and more. Tatkal quota is one of the essential quotas that is crucial in increasing the chances of confirmed seats.

Tatkal quota facilitates urgent travel needs, ensuring that passengers can travel even without booking tickets in advance. To book tickets under the Tatkal quota, you need to visit the IRCTC website at 10 am for AC classes and 11 am for non-AC classes a day before the departure date. If the Tatkal tickets are completely booked, you will not have RAC ticket status for this category; you will fall under the TQWL category. To book Tatkal tickets, you need to choose the Tatkal option under the list of different quotas mentioned on the IRCTC website. The maximum number of tickets you can book from the Tatkal quota is four. The ticket price of Tatkal tickets is dynamic as it increases based on the growing demand. Let us find out the different types of Tatkal quotas, how to book them, and their associated benefits.

Below is a step-by-step tutorial on how to book Tatkal tickets on redRail.

• Step 1: Visit the redRail website or application.
• Step 2: Enter the source and destination city names.
• Step 3: Enter the date of the journey.
• Step 4: Click on the Search button.
• Step 5: The list of Tatkal tickets available will be displayed on the screen.
• Step 6: Enter IRCTC credentials and passenger details.
• Step 7: Make the payment and enter the IRCTC password to confirm the ticket booking.

Below are some of the key features of booking Tatkal train tickets.

• Booking Timing: The Tatkal ticket booking window opens at 10 am for AC classes and 11 am for non-AC classes in the morning just before the day of departure from the originating station.
• Quota: Certain number of seats are allocated to Tatkal quota. Once these seats are filled, you can book on premium Tatkal to increase the chance of getting confirmed tickets.
• Increased fare: To book Tatkal train tickets, you need to spend more than general ticket booking. Ticket prices may increase depending on the demand.
• ID proof: Passengers must provide a valid ID at the time of ticket booking and show it during the journey.

Check out some guidelines on booking Tatkal tickets for passengers below.

• No refund will be applicable for booking tickets under the Tatkal quota.
• Cancellation of confirmed bookings is applicable.
• Opting for the general and ladies' quotas with the Tatkal quota is not applicable.
• The name change is not applicable after booking Tatkal train tickets.
• Duplicate Tatkal tickets are not applicable to passengers. In exceptional cases, passengers can pay the full fare, including Tatkal charges.
• Tatkal ticket booking for passengers holding a concessional ticket is not applicable.
• Passengers with Tatkal tickets must carry a valid government ID during their journey. The ID proof includes a voter ID, PAN card, Driving License, Aadhaar card and ID issued by the Government of India.
• Book a maximum of four passengers per PNR for Tatkal tickets. Check PNR status to check the status of your bookings on Tatkal.

Below are some useful tips for booking a ticket under the Tatkal quota.

• Log in early to book the Tatkal tickets at least 10 to 15 minutes before the window opens.
• Keep journey and passenger details ready to save time when searching for information.
• Check the internet connection for a successful booking process.
• Use multiple devices or browsers to book Tatkal tickets, increasing the demand for securing a confirmed ticket.
• Keep payment details beforehand to complete the transaction on time.

The Tatkal Quota in Indian Railways offers a vital solution for last-minute travel needs, ensuring passengers can secure tickets quickly. Despite challenges like high demand and technical issues, ongoing improvements and strategic booking practices continue to enhance its accessibility and efficiency, making urgent travel more manageable. Visit redRail to book Tatkal tickets for last-minute travels.