IRCTC Chart Preparation Time: 1st & 2nd Chart Rules (2026)

Q: What is current availability in IRCTC after charting?

Current Availability (CURR_AVBL or CURR AVL) refers to unsold berths that go on sale after first chart preparation. Current reservation tickets are 100% confirmed seats with allocated coach and berth numbers, bookable online or at station counters until 15–30 minutes before departure.

Quick Tip: Wondering if your waitlisted ticket will confirm before chart preparation? Use Smart Seats to find confirmed split journeys on the same train, check live coach vacancies with Chart Vacancy, lookup running vacant berths via Coach Journey Lookup, or track station-wise charting schedules with Chart Times.

TL;DR

IRCTC prepares the first reservation chart roughly 8 hours before train departure (or at 21:00 the previous evening for morning trains leaving before 14:00). A second, final chart is prepared 30 minutes before departure to account for last-minute cancellations and Current Availability bookings. Fully waitlisted e-tickets are automatically cancelled with a 100% refund, while unsold seats become available as confirmed Current Reservation tickets until 15–30 minutes before departure.

What Time Is the First Reservation Chart Prepared in IRCTC?

The first reservation chart is prepared approximately 8 hours before scheduled train departure from the originating station. For early morning trains departing before 14:00 (2:00 PM), Indian Railways prepares the first chart the previous evening at 21:00 (9:00 PM) per Railway Board rules. This initial chart finalizes passenger berths and releases unallocated emergency, VIP, and foreign tourist quotas.

Before the first chart is prepared, passenger status remains dynamic as cancellations occur and waitlists shift. Once the initial chart is generated:

All pooled quotas (such as General, Tatkal, Senior Citizen, and Emergency Quota) are merged into a single final allocation list.
Unused quota berths are automatically transferred to clear General Waiting List (GNWL) and Remote Location Waiting List (RLWL) passengers.
Passengers receive an automated SMS from IRCTC displaying their confirmed coach and berth numbers (e.g., B3-42 or S4-17) or their updated RAC status.
Charting data is transmitted to the computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) and loaded onto the Train Ticket Examiner's (TTE) Handheld Terminal (HHT).

If you are boarding at an intermediate station rather than the train's originating station, the primary chart is prepared at the train's origin. However, remote location quota (RLWL) charts are finalized at their designated remote charting hubs before the train arrives at your boarding point.

When Is the Second and Final Train Chart Prepared?

The second and final reservation chart is prepared 30 minutes to 15 minutes before scheduled train departure from the originating station. This final chart captures last-minute cancellations made after the first chart, seats allotted to RAC passengers, and new confirmed tickets booked under Current Availability (CURR_AVBL). Once printed, no further online bookings or cancellations are permitted.

The second chart serves as the definitive legal passenger manifest for the journey:

Current Reservation cutoff: Online booking on IRCTC and PRS counter booking for the train officially closes when the second chart is prepared (typically 15–30 minutes before departure).
Final RAC promotion: Any berths vacated by passengers who cancelled between the first and second charts are allotted to RAC passengers in order of priority.
Waitlist auto-cancellation: Any online e-ticket that remains on the waiting list after second chart preparation is automatically dropped from the passenger manifest.

What Is the Difference Between First Chart and Second Chart?

The first chart is prepared 8 hours before departure to finalize initial berth allocations and release quotas, while the second chart is prepared 30 minutes before departure to record last-minute changes. First charting opens Current Availability for unsold seats, whereas second charting permanently closes all booking and triggers automatic refunds for waitlisted e-tickets.

Here is a side-by-side comparison of the two charting stages:

Feature / Rule	First Reservation Chart	Second (Final) Reservation Chart
Preparation Timing	8 hours before departure (or 21:00 previous night for trains before 14:00)	30 to 15 minutes before departure
Primary Purpose	Finalizes initial seat allotments and merges all special quotas	Captures late cancellations and Current Availability bookings
Quota Berth Release	Unused VIP, EQ, Defense, and Tourist quotas released to waitlist	Berths vacated by late cancellations assigned to RAC passengers
Current Availability	Opens immediately after first charting at base fare or discount	Closes permanently upon second chart preparation
Waitlist Resolution	WL passengers may advance to RAC or Confirmed status	Remaining waitlisted e-tickets are auto-cancelled
Booking & Cancellation	Current booking opens; confirmed cancellation incurs 50% fee	All online cancellations and bookings strictly closed
Passenger Notification	SMS sent with initial coach and berth allocation	Final status updated on IRCTC app, website, and station charts

How Do You Check Vacant Berths After Chart Preparation?

You can check vacant berths after chart preparation on the official IRCTC Charts and Vacancy portal (irctc.co.in/online-charts) or LastBerth Chart Vacancy. Simply enter your train number, journey date, and boarding station to view an interactive coach-by-coach layout displaying available vacant berths by class (1AC, 2AC, 3AC, Sleeper, Chair Car).

To inspect post-chart vacancies step-by-step:

Navigate to the IRCTC Charts portal or use Chart Vacancy for a rapid visual breakdown.
Enter the 5-digit train number and select your exact boarding station from the dropdown.
Select your travel class to view the color-coded coach diagram.
Green indicators highlight open, unbooked berths along with the exact station-to-station stretch for which they are vacant.
If a berth is free for your journey, log in immediately to IRCTC and book it as a Current Reservation ticket (CURR_AVBL).

Because vacant berths are sold in real time on a first-come, first-served basis, checking immediately after the 8-hour first chart window gives you the best chance of securing a confirmed seat.

What Happens If Your Waitlisted Ticket Does Not Confirm After Charting?

If a fully waitlisted online e-ticket remains on the waiting list after second chart preparation, IRCTC automatically cancels the ticket and issues a 100% refund. The full fare is credited back to your original payment source within 3 to 5 working days with zero clerkage fee deducted. Fully waitlisted e-ticket holders are legally barred from boarding.

Key rules governing post-chart waitlisted tickets include:

Boarding prohibition: Travelling in a reserved coach (Sleeper or AC) with a fully waitlisted e-ticket is strictly illegal. Under Section 138 of the Railways Act (as amended under the Jan Vishwas Act), passengers caught doing so are treated as ticketless, removed at the next station, and fined a minimum penalty of ₹500 plus the single fare.
Counter (PRS) tickets vs e-tickets: Unlike e-tickets, physical counter waitlisted tickets are not automatically cancelled. A passenger with a counter waitlisted ticket may cancel it manually at any computerized PRS counter up to 30 minutes before train departure to claim a refund, or board the unreserved General coach.
Auto-refund tracking: You do not need to file a TDR for a fully waitlisted e-ticket dropped by the system. The refund is processed automatically by IRCTC.

What Are the Rules for Partially Confirmed Tickets After Chart Preparation?

If a single PNR has both confirmed (or RAC) passengers and waitlisted passengers after charting, the entire group is permitted to board the train. The waitlisted passengers may travel in the reserved coach alongside their confirmed co-passengers. The on-duty TTE will adjust seating onboard if vacant berths become available during the journey.

If a partially confirmed group decides not to travel because some members remain waitlisted, they must follow the refund rules:

Online TDR filing: An online Ticket Deposit Receipt (TDR) must be filed on the IRCTC website or app at least 30 minutes before scheduled train departure.
Refund entitlement: All passengers on the PNR (both confirmed and waitlisted) are entitled to a full refund of fare, minus the standard clerkage fee of ₹60 per passenger.
Late filing forfeiture: If the TDR is not filed within the 30-minute pre-departure window, the entire fare for confirmed passengers is forfeited.

How Does TTE Handheld Terminal (HHT) Berth Allotment Work on Moving Trains?

On-duty TTEs carry Handheld Terminals (HHTs) that synchronize in real time with the central Passenger Reservation System via cellular data. When a confirmed passenger fails to board by the second scheduled halt (the "two-stop rule"), the TTE marks them as a no-show on the HHT tablet, instantly freeing their berth for RAC and waitlisted passengers on board.

The HHT automated allotment sequence operates under strict priority rules:

Step 1 — RAC Promotion: The vacant berth is automatically offered to the highest-ranking RAC passenger in the coach.
Step 2 — Onboard Waitlist Reallocation: If all RAC passengers have full berths, the system prompts the TTE to allot the berth to partially confirmed waitlist passengers travelling on the same train.
Step 3 — Station-to-Station Transfer: If no onboard passenger claims the seat, the vacant leg is transmitted back to the central PRS to appear as Current Availability for passengers searching from upcoming stations.

To check which berths may become vacant at upcoming stops, you can use LastBerth's Coach Journey Lookup to see station-by-station occupancy for any specific coach and seat.

How Can You Book Confirmed Seats on Waitlisted Trains Using Segment Booking?

Segment booking lets you find confirmed seats on fully waitlisted trains by splitting your origin-to-destination journey into two contiguous legs on the same train. Because IRCTC manages berth availability per station pair rather than train-wide, a seat that is waitlisted end-to-end may be completely confirmed from Station A to B in one coach and B to C in another.

Rather than manually searching dozens of intermediate stations, LastBerth's Smart Seats automated algorithm:

Scans all intermediate commercial halts along the train's route.
Identifies confirmed seat combinations in the same travel class.
Enables you to board at your origin station, switch seats or coaches at the handover station, and arrive with 100% confirmed tickets.

Common Booking Questions (FAQ)

When is chart prepared for trains leaving before 8 AM or 12 PM?

For early morning trains departing between 00:01 and 14:00 (2:00 PM), the first reservation chart is prepared the previous evening at 21:00 (9:00 PM). The second and final chart is prepared 30 minutes before scheduled departure on the morning of travel.

Can you cancel a confirmed ticket after chart preparation?

No refund is granted if a confirmed ticket is cancelled online less than 4 hours before departure or after first chart preparation (whichever is earlier). However, if your train is delayed by more than 3 hours, you can file a TDR online before the train departs to receive a 100% full refund.

Is a waitlisted online e-ticket valid for boarding after chart preparation?

No, fully waitlisted e-tickets are automatically cancelled upon second charting and are completely invalid for travel. Boarding a reserved coach with a waitlisted e-ticket is treated as ticketless travel under Section 138 of the Railways Act, punishable by a minimum fine of ₹500 plus the class fare.

What is current availability in IRCTC after charting?

Current Availability (CURR_AVBL or CURR AVL) refers to unsold berths that go on sale after first chart preparation. Current reservation tickets are 100% confirmed seats with allocated coach and berth numbers, bookable online or at station counters until 15–30 minutes before departure.

How much refund do you get if a waitlisted e-ticket is dropped?

When an e-ticket remains waitlisted after final charting, IRCTC automatically cancels it and credits a 100% full refund to your original payment account. No cancellation charges or clerkage fees are deducted for auto-dropped waitlisted e-tickets.

Does chart preparation happen at each intermediate station?

The primary chart is prepared at the train's originating station. For major remote stations that have dedicated booking quotas (Remote Location Waiting List / RLWL), a separate remote chart is finalized at the remote charting hub before the train reaches that junction.

Can RAC passengers get full berths after chart preparation?

Yes, RAC passengers frequently get upgraded to full berths during first or second charting when confirmed passengers cancel their tickets or unused quotas are released. Additionally, the TTE can upgrade RAC passengers onboard using the Handheld Terminal (HHT) if confirmed passengers fail to show up.

What is the deadline to book current reservation tickets?

Current reservation bookings on the IRCTC website and PRS ticket counters remain open until the second reservation chart is prepared, which is between 30 minutes and 15 minutes before scheduled train departure.

Bottom line

Chart preparation in Indian Railways is not a single event—it is a two-step window. The first chart at ~8 hours (or 21:00 the prior night) unlocks quota releases and Current Availability, while the second chart at 30 minutes locks in final seat allocations.

If your train shows WL or Regret, do not rely on uncertain waitlists. Use Smart Seats to find confirmed split-segment seats, explore live openings on Chart Vacancy, check coach layouts on Coach Journey Lookup, and track charting times on Chart Times.