South Central Railway Festival Special Trains 2026: List

🔔 Planning festival travel from Hyderabad, Secunderabad, or Charlapalli? Find confirmed seats and smart split routes on high-demand festive corridors:

• Search Secunderabad to Danapur Special Trains
• Search Secunderabad to Patna Special Trains
• Search Charlapalli to Sasaram Special Trains
• Search Secunderabad to Gorakhpur Special Trains
• Search Charlapalli to Delhi Special Trains

TL;DR

South Central Railway has announced 42 festival special train services for Diwali and Chhath Puja 2026 connecting the Hyderabad twin cities and the new Charlapalli Satellite Terminal to high-demand destinations across Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and North India, including Danapur, Patna, Sasaram, Gorakhpur, Raxaul, and Hazrat Nizamuddin. Reservations are open on IRCTC and station PRS counters under Train on Special Fare (TOSF) rules with flat 10% to 30% surcharges. Check your boarding station carefully, as several key specials originate at Charlapalli (CHZ) rather than Secunderabad (SC). If direct berths show REGRET, use Smart Seats to find confirmed split-journey legs, set alerts on Chart Times, and book post-charting seats on Chart Vacancy.

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Which Festival Special Trains Has South Central Railway Announced for 2026?

South Central Railway has notified 42 festival special train services for Diwali and Chhath Puja 2026 connecting Secunderabad, Hyderabad, and the new Charlapalli terminal to Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Southern destinations. Operating with 07xxx identifiers, these rakes run through October, November, and December 2026 across AC 2-Tier, AC 3-Tier, 3E Economy, Sleeper, and General unreserved coaches.

Every autumn, hundreds of thousands of IT professionals, manufacturing workers, and students living in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh travel home to Northern and Eastern India. Because regular daily trains like the Danapur Express (12791/12792), Secunderabad–Patna Express (12793/12794), and Sanghamitra Express (12295/12296) reach REGRET status within minutes of the 60-day reservation window opening, South Central Railway (SCR) deploys dedicated 0-series Trains on Demand (TOD).

South Central Railway's 2026 festive operational plan focuses on four primary travel sectors:

• The Hyderabad to Bihar Trunk Corridor: Direct high-capacity special express trains running from Secunderabad (SC) and Charlapalli (CHZ) to Danapur, Patna, Sasaram, Gaya, and Raxaul via Kazipet, Balharshah, Nagpur, and Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya (DDU).
• The Hyderabad to Uttar Pradesh and Delhi Corridor: Superfast festival specials linking Charlapalli and Secunderabad to Hazrat Nizamuddin (Delhi) and Gorakhpur via Bhopal, Jhansi, Kanpur, and Lucknow.
• Inter-State South Connectors: Special holiday services connecting Hyderabad to pilgrim and commercial centers in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, including Sengottai, Tiruvannamalai, Tirupati, and Visakhapatnam.
• High-Capacity Mixed Rake Configurations: Rakes formed with 4 to 6 General Second Class (GS) coaches alongside AC 2-Tier, AC 3-Tier, 3E Economy, and Sleeper accommodation to serve travellers across all budget levels.

These festival services carry 07xxx train numbers and operate on dedicated holiday schedules slotted between regular freight and passenger corridors.

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What Special Trains Are Running from Charlapalli and Secunderabad to Bihar?

Major South Central Railway special trains to Bihar connect Secunderabad and Charlapalli to Danapur, Sasaram, Patna, and Raxaul to handle peak Diwali and Chhath rushes. Notable services include 07091/07092 Secunderabad–Danapur Special, 07041/07042 Charlapalli–Sasaram Special, 07193/07194 Secunderabad–Danapur Superfast, and 07051/07052 Charlapalli–Raxaul Special, operating via Balharshah, Itarsi, Jabalpur, and Pt. DDU.

The Hyderabad–Bihar route is one of the most overcrowded railway sectors in the country. To provide relief, SCR has introduced dedicated special services departing both Secunderabad Junction and the newly inaugurated Charlapalli Terminal.

The table below outlines the primary festival special trains running between Hyderabad/Secunderabad and Bihar:

Train Number	Train Name / Route	Origin Station	Destination Station	Trips / Frequency	Coach Composition	Major Routing
07091 / 07092	Secunderabad – Danapur Special	Secunderabad (SC)	Danapur (DNR)	Bi-Weekly (Oct–Nov)	2A, 3A, 3E, SL, GS	Kazipet, Balharshah, Nagpur, Itarsi, Jabalpur, Pt. DDU, Ara
07041 / 07042	Charlapalli – Sasaram Festive Special	Charlapalli (CHZ)	Sasaram (SSM)	8 Services (Oct–Nov)	3A, 3E, SL, GS	Kazipet, Balharshah, Nagpur, Katni, Satna, Manikpur, Pt. DDU
07193 / 07194	Secunderabad – Danapur Superfast	Secunderabad (SC)	Danapur (DNR)	Weekly (Sundays)	2A, 3A, SL, GS	Kazipet, Ramagundam, Nagpur, Jabalpur, Mirzapur, Buxar
07051 / 07052	Charlapalli – Raxaul Express Special	Charlapalli (CHZ)	Raxaul Jn (RXL)	Weekly (Thursdays)	3E, SL, GS	Bilaspur, Rourkela, Ranchi, Bokaro, Barauni, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi
07255 / 07256	Hyderabad – Patna Special Express	Hyderabad (HYB)	Patna Jn (PNBE)	Weekly (Fridays)	2A, 3A, SL, GS	Secunderabad, Kazipet, Balharshah, Nagpur, Pt. DDU, Danapur

Passengers travelling to Patna can also book up to Danapur (DNR). Danapur is located just 10 kilometers west of Patna Junction and offers frequent auto-rickshaws, city buses, and local suburban trains into central Patna, helping you bypass the congested main station area.

⚡ Quick Seat Search by Route: Check Secunderabad to Danapur Seats • Check Charlapalli to Sasaram Seats • Check Secunderabad to Patna Seats

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Which Special Trains Connect Hyderabad to UP and Delhi for Diwali 2026?

South Central Railway festival specials to Uttar Pradesh and Delhi connect Charlapalli and Secunderabad to Hazrat Nizamuddin and Gorakhpur. Flagship services include 07021/07022 and 07023/07024 Charlapalli–Hazrat Nizamuddin Superfast Specials and 07003/07004 Secunderabad–Gorakhpur Express Special, operating via Kazipet, Balharshah, Nagpur, Bhopal, VGL Jhansi, and Kanpur Central.

Northbound trains from Hyderabad routinely experience massive waiting lists in late October as professionals head north to celebrate Diwali with their families. SCR's special services to Delhi and Eastern Uttar Pradesh provide much-needed additional capacity.

The table below lists the major festive special services connecting Hyderabad to Delhi and Uttar Pradesh:

Train Number	Train Name / Route	Origin Station	Destination Station	Frequency	Coach Composition	Key Halts
07021 / 07022	Charlapalli – Hazrat Nizamuddin Special	Charlapalli (CHZ)	H. Nizamuddin (NZM)	Multiple Trips (Oct–Dec)	2A, 3A, 3E, SL, GS	Kazipet, Balharshah, Nagpur, Bhopal, VGL Jhansi, Gwalior, Agra Cantt
07023 / 07024	Charlapalli – Hazrat Nizamuddin Superfast	Charlapalli (CHZ)	H. Nizamuddin (NZM)	Bi-Weekly	3A, 3E, SL, GS	Ramagundam, Balharshah, Itarsi, Bhopal, Jhansi, Mathura
07003 / 07004	Secunderabad – Gorakhpur Special Express	Secunderabad (SC)	Gorakhpur Jn (GKP)	Weekly (Wednesdays)	2A, 3A, SL, GS	Kazipet, Nagpur, Bhopal, VGL Jhansi, Kanpur Central, Lucknow, Basti
07081 / 07082	Secunderabad – Subedarganj Special	Secunderabad (SC)	Subedarganj (SFG)	Weekly (Tuesdays)	3E, SL, GS	Balharshah, Nagpur, Itarsi, Jabalpur, Manikpur, Prayagraj Area

For passengers travelling to Prayagraj or Varanasi, the Subedarganj (SFG) special offers an excellent alternative, dropping you directly on the western outskirts of Prayagraj with seamless highway and local transport connections.

⚡ Quick Route Search: Search Charlapalli to Delhi Seats • Search Secunderabad to Gorakhpur Seats • Search Secunderabad to Prayagraj Seats

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What Is the Charlapalli (CHZ) Station Rule for South Central Railway Specials?

Several South Central Railway festival special trains originate and terminate at the newly developed Charlapalli Satellite Terminal (station code CHZ) rather than Secunderabad (SC) or Hyderabad Nampally (HYB). Passengers must verify the station code on their ticket, as Charlapalli is located approximately 14 kilometers east of Secunderabad Junction on the Kazipet line.

The shift of long-distance festive specials to Charlapalli is part of Indian Railways' master plan to decongest Secunderabad Junction, which is undergoing major redevelopment. However, this creates a major boarding risk for unsuspecting travellers who turn up at Secunderabad by mistake.

Keep these practical rules in mind if your ticket shows Charlapalli (CHZ):

1. Verify Your 3-Letter Station Code: Always inspect the origin code printed on your IRCTC e-ticket or SMS confirmation. If it reads CHZ, your train departs from Charlapalli, not SC (Secunderabad) or HYB (Hyderabad Deccan).
2. Reaching Charlapalli Terminal:
   • By MMTS Suburban Train: Regular MMTS local trains operate between Secunderabad, Kacheguda, Lingampalli, and Charlapalli.
   • By Road: Charlapalli is accessible via the Outer Ring Road (ORR) at Ghatkesar or via Nacharam and Mallapur roads. Allow at least 45 to 60 minutes of travel time from Secunderabad or Central Hyderabad during evening peak traffic hours.
   • By TSRTC City Buses: Dedicated festival shuttle buses operate from Secunderabad Railway Station (Rathifile Bus Station) and ECIL X Roads directly to Charlapalli Railway Terminal.
3. Boarding Point Changes: If you mistakenly booked from Secunderabad on a train that stops at both stations, you can update your boarding point online on the IRCTC website up to the preparation of the second reservation chart (approximately 30 to 45 minutes before departure).

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When Does Booking Open for SCR Festival Special Trains on IRCTC?

Booking for South Central Railway festival special trains opens progressively from late September 2026 at 08:00 AM IST on the IRCTC portal and railway station reservation counters. Bookings follow Train on Special Fare (TOSF) tariffs with 10% to 30% surcharges and require mandatory Aadhaar OTP verification during opening rush hours.

Securing a confirmed seat on an SCR festival special requires knowing how Indian Railways handles 0-series special train bookings:

1. Reservation Opening Schedule: Primary festival specials open for booking at 08:00 AM IST on their respective notification dates. Additional supplementary services continue to be added on rolling 10 to 30-day booking horizons up to Diwali and Chhath Puja.
2. Train on Special Fare (TOSF) Pricing: Special trains operate under standard Indian Railways festival surcharge guidelines:
   • Second Sitting (2S): Flat 10% surcharge over base mail/express fares.
   • Sleeper Class (SL): Flat 30% surcharge over base mail/express fares.
   • AC Classes (3A, 3E, 2A): Flat 30% surcharge over base mail/express fares.
   • Concessions: No senior citizen, student, or quota concessions apply on 0-series special fare services.
3. Mandatory Aadhaar OTP Verification: To eliminate unauthorized bulk booking bots, IRCTC enforces Aadhaar-linked OTP verification for high-demand festival specials during morning booking hours. Ensure your mobile number is updated in UIDAI records before booking opens.
4. Cancellation and Refund Slabs: Special trains adhere to standard railway refund rules. If you cancel a confirmed ticket more than 48 hours before departure, flat clerkage fees apply (₹240 for 2AC, ₹180 for 3AC/3E, ₹120 for Sleeper). Within 48 to 12 hours, a 25% penalty applies; between 12 and 4 hours before departure, a 50% penalty applies.

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How to Get Confirmed Tickets When SCR Festival Specials Are Waitlisted?

When South Central Railway festival specials show REGRET or high waiting lists, find confirmed contiguous seats on the same train using LastBerth Smart Seats. Alternatively, monitor reservation chart release times on LastBerth Chart Times and book vacant berths under Current Availability (CURR_AVBL) up to 30 minutes before departure.

Festival specials fill up quickly, often moving to WL (Waiting List) within hours of release. If you missed the opening rush, you can still rescue your journey using proven railway strategies:

1. Book Contiguous Berths with Smart Seats

When a direct ticket from Secunderabad to Danapur shows REGRET, the train is rarely 100% full across the entire 1,800-kilometer route. Seats frequently open up along intermediate legs.

Using Smart Seats, you can split your journey into contiguous confirmed segments on the exact same train:

• Leg 1: Book Secunderabad to Nagpur in Coach B3.
• Leg 2: Book Nagpur to Danapur in Coach B5 on the same train.

You never step off the train; you simply switch coaches at Nagpur Junction while travelling on two legally confirmed PNRs.

2. Leverage First and Second Charting Windows

South Central Railway prepares reservation charts in two distinct phases:

• First Chart Preparation: Finalized roughly 8 hours prior to departure at the originating station (or at 21:00 hrs the previous evening for morning departures). Unused emergency quotas, VIP quotas, and remote location quotas are released into the general pool.
• Second and Final Chart: Prepared 30 to 45 minutes before departure. Berths cancelled at the last minute are immediately released under Current Availability (CURR_AVBL) at a 10% discount on the basic fare.

Use Chart Times to look up historical chart finalization times for your train, and view live coach-by-coach vacant seats on Chart Vacancy.

3. Check Real-Time Vacancy with Seat Status

If you are boarding with a partially confirmed ticket or need an unreserved upgrade, use Seat Status to inspect coach vacancy diagrams. This shows you exactly which berth is booked for which station pair, letting you approach the on-board TTE with precise knowledge of which seat falls empty at upcoming halts.

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Common Booking Questions (FAQ)

What is the full form of SCR in Indian Railways?

SCR full form is South Central Railway, one of the 18 railway zones of Indian Railways, headquartered at Rail Nilayam in Secunderabad, Telangana. It manages major divisions including Secunderabad, Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Guntakal, Guntur, and Nanded.

What is the station code for Charlapalli Railway Terminal?

The official IRCTC station code for the newly developed Charlapalli Satellite Terminal is CHZ. When searching on IRCTC or LastBerth, enter CHZ as the origin or destination code to find trains departing from this terminal.

Are festival special train fares higher than regular trains?

Yes, South Central Railway 0-series festival special trains operate under Train on Special Fare (TOSF) tariffs, which carry a flat 10% surcharge on Second Sitting (2S) and a 30% surcharge on Sleeper Class and AC coaches over regular mail/express fares.

What happens if my festival special e-ticket remains on Waiting List (WL)?

If your online IRCTC e-ticket remains on the Waiting List after final chart preparation (~30 to 45 minutes before departure), it is automatically cancelled and fully refunded to your original payment method. You cannot legally board reserved coaches on a fully waitlisted e-ticket.

Can I book Tatkal tickets on South Central Railway festival special trains?

Most 0-series festival special trains do not offer Tatkal quotas because all available berths are pooled directly into the General Quota under special fare pricing. However, unallocated quotas are released under Current Availability (CURR_AVBL) post-charting.

How do I travel between Secunderabad Station and Charlapalli Terminal?

You can travel between Secunderabad Junction and Charlapalli Terminal via MMTS local suburban trains, direct TSRTC city buses from Secunderabad Rathifile Bus Station, or via cab through the Nacharam-Mallapur road in approximately 35 to 50 minutes.

Does Aadhaar verification increase monthly booking limits on IRCTC?

Yes. Unverified IRCTC accounts are capped at 12 tickets per month. Linking your Aadhaar card and verifying at least one passenger on your booking upgrades your monthly limit to 24 tickets per month.

How many tickets can be booked per PNR on festival special trains?

On general quota bookings, you can book up to 6 passengers per PNR. During the initial Tatkal booking window, the limit is 4 passengers per PNR.

Can I change my boarding station on an SCR festival special ticket?

Yes, you can change your boarding station online via the IRCTC portal up to the preparation of the second reservation chart (approximately 30 to 45 minutes before train departure). Once the final chart is finalized, boarding point modifications cannot be made.

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Bottom line

South Central Railway's 42 festival special trains provide vital additional capacity for travellers heading home from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi for Diwali and Chhath 2026. Verify your departure station code between Secunderabad (SC) and Charlapalli (CHZ) before setting off for the station. If direct seats are sold out, use LastBerth Smart Seats to unlock confirmed split-route tickets on the same rake, monitor charting cutoffs on Chart Times, and claim released berths on Chart Vacancy.