Understanding Delayed Chart Preparation on IRCTC Website: A Comprehensive Guide

When using the IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) website for ticket booking, travelers sometimes encounter confusing situations regarding the charting process. This article provides a detailed breakdown of how chart preparation works, why delays might occur, and how it affects your journey planning.

What is Charting in Indian Railways?

Charting is a crucial process managed by Indian Railways authorities to allocate vacant seats from other quotas, such as General and Tatkal, to the General/Tatkal Quota. This allocation ensures that passengers can access more flexible booking options.

Timing and Process of Charting

The charting process varies depending on the departure time and type of train:

Morning Trains (12:00 AM to 11 AM): The final chart is prepared about 4 hours before departure. However, for early morning and midnight trains, the final chart is prepared by 8:00 PM on the previous day. This is done to provide advance PNR confirmation details to passengers. Evening Trains (3 PM to 11:59 PM): The final chart is prepared 3-4 hours before the train departure.

Intermittent Stops and Chart Preparation

Trains with intermittent stops may have their final chart prepared upon reaching the next stop if the remaining journey has vacant seats available. For example, if a train departs from Station A to Station Z with a 3-day journey and a passenger boards at Station K on Day 2, the chart might not be finalized until the train reaches Station K. This process is essential for allocating seats for the remaining leg of the journey.

PNR Confirmation Probability

IRCTC has introduced an innovative feature called PNR Confirmation Probability to help passengers estimate their ticket confirmation rates. This feature can guide travelers to make informed decisions about whether to proceed with their journey or wait for further updates.

Key Points to Remember

Key Point 1: Charting Process - Morning Trains: Final chart prepared 4 hours before departure - Midnight Trains: Final chart prepared by 8:00 PM on the previous day - Evening Trains: Final chart prepared 3-4 hours before departure

Key Point 2: Intermittent Stops - Intermittent stops can delay chart preparation for the remaining part of the journey - Charting based on availability of vacant seats

Key Point 3: PNR Confirmation Probability - Provides estimated confirmation rates for passengers - Helps make informed travel decisions

Conclusion

While it may seem confusing at first, the charting process is designed to ensure efficient seat allocation and passenger convenience. By understanding the timing and factors involved, travelers can make the most of their train journeys and avoid any last-minute disappointments.

References

1. How is it possible that the IRCTC website is showing Chart Not Prepared even after the train has already started its journey?

2. What is Charting in Indian Railways

3. Charting