Indian Railways is often called the lifeline of the country, boasting the world’s fourth-largest railway network. When you need to travel long distances on short notice, there’s no more comfortable option than the train.

This is why most people choose trains for long journeys. If tickets aren’t reserved, passengers can opt for Tatkal tickets. But what if you don’t get a confirmed Tatkal ticket? Let’s find out.

For urgent travel, it’s possible to get a confirmed ticket just five minutes before the train’s departure. Today, we’ll explain how to do this. This means even if you don’t have a General or Tatkal ticket, you can still travel without any hassle. You can book a confirmed ticket even a few minutes before the train leaves. This facility is called the ‘Current Ticket’ scheme.

Current Ticket Booking After Chart Preparation

According to information from the IRCTC website, current ticket booking begins after the train’s reservation chart is prepared. Typically, the booking chart is made four hours before the train’s departure. Even after the chart is prepared, some seats may remain vacant. These seats are then available for current booking. These tickets can be booked online even a few minutes before the train departs. This facility is available on both the IRCTC website and its mobile app.

Current Ticket Booking Process

To book a ticket, visit the IRCTC app or website and fill in all the required information. The travel date must be the same day the train is departing. This booking can only be made after the chart is prepared, usually four hours beforehand. Once the current booking status is visible, the passenger selects the train and class. If seats are available, a ‘CURR_AVBL’ message will appear. This indicates that current tickets are available for that specific train, and you can immediately book a confirmed ticket.

According to IRCTC, current booking is only available as an e-ticket, and only confirmed tickets are issued. There is no waiting list facility for current bookings. Once a ticket is booked, changes to name, age, gender, or boarding station are not permitted.