Key Points:
- EQ ticket requests must be made a day before the journey.
- New rules depend on train departure time and public holidays.
- Other recent changes include chart preparation, Aadhaar for Tatkal, and stricter rules on waitlisted tickets.
New Delhi: Indian Railways has changed the rules for booking tickets under the Emergency Quota (EQ). From now on, passengers must apply for EQ tickets one day before their journey.
Applications on the same day of travel will no longer be accepted.
This new rule is effective from today.
Railway Board said the rule change is to make chart preparation easier and to stop black marketing of tickets.
Main changes in Emergency Quota rules
For trains between 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM:
- Apply by 12:00 PM one day before travel.
For trains between 2:01 PM and 11:59 PM:
- Apply by 4:00 PM one day before travel.
For Sunday or holiday trains:
- Apply on the previous working day.
For example, for Sunday trains, apply by Friday.
What is Emergency Quota (EQ)?
EQ is a special ticket booking option for people with real emergencies.
It is mostly used by:
- Government officials
- Senior citizens
- Medical emergencies
- Other urgent cases
Railways says these changes will help real passengers and make ticket booking faster and fairer.
Three other big changes by Railways recently
Tickets confirmed 8 hours before train departure: Railways will now prepare the reservation chart 8 hours before train time (instead of 4 hours).
- This gives passengers more time to make other travel plans if ticket is not confirmed.
- Started from 1 July 2025, on selected trains.
Aadhaar now needed for Tatkal booking: From 1 July 2025, Tatkal ticket booking on IRCTC requires Aadhaar verification.
- From 15 July, OTP linked to Aadhaar is also needed for online Tatkal tickets.
- For first 30 minutes, agents can't book Tatkal tickets (AC or non-AC).
No travel in AC or Sleeper on Waitlist tickets
From 1 May, passengers with waitlisted tickets are not allowed in AC or Sleeper class.
They can only travel in General class.
If caught in AC or Sleeper with a waitlist ticket, a fine will be charged.
Fine in AC coaches: ₹440
Fine in Sleeper coaches: ₹250
