IRCTC booking date calculator 2026

Q: When does IRCTC General Quota booking open?

General Quota booking opens 60 days before the journey date (not counting the journey date itself) at 8:00 AM IST.

Q: What time does Tatkal booking start?

Tatkal opens 1 day before the journey date. AC classes open at 10:00 AM IST and Non-AC classes at 11:00 AM IST.

Q: How do I calculate the IRCTC advance reservation period?

Enter your journey date in the calculator. It subtracts 60 days to give the general booking opening date, and 1 day for Tatkal.

Q: Can I add IRCTC booking dates to my calendar?

Yes. Export to Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, Microsoft 365, Outlook.com or Yahoo Calendar, or download an iCal (.ics) file that includes a reminder one hour before booking opens.

Q: Does the 60-day period change for other quotas?

No. The advance reservation period is the same for all quotas. Each quota has its own eligibility rules and seat availability.

Q: Is this calculator affiliated with IRCTC or Indian Railways?

No. It is an independent, free tool. Always confirm timings on the official IRCTC website or app before booking.

Enter your journey date and see exactly when IRCTC opens booking, for General quota and Tatkal, so you're logged in before the window opens.

60 days before journey
General 8:00 AM IST
Tatkal 10 / 11 AM IST

Your journey

Journey date

Quota

Include TatkalOpens 1 day before: 10:00 AM AC, 11:00 AM Non-AC

How to find your IRCTC booking date

Five steps, about two minutes.

Pick your dateChoose the day you travel.
Choose a quotaGeneral, Ladies, Defense and more.
Add TatkalOptional. Opens the day before.
CalculateSee when booking opens.
Save a reminderSend it to your calendar.

IRCTC advance reservation rules

The two windows that matter for most journeys.

60 days before

General quota booking

Booking opens 60 days before the journey date, not counting the journey date itself, at 8:00 AM IST. To travel on 15 March, booking opens on 14 January.

1 day before

Tatkal booking

Tatkal opens the day before your journey: 10:00 AM IST for AC classes and 11:00 AM IST for Non-AC. Tatkal charges are added to the base fare, and refund rules differ from general tickets. Premium Tatkal uses dynamic pricing on select trains.

Calendar reminders

Save each opening time to Google, Apple, Microsoft 365, Outlook or Yahoo Calendar, or download an .ics file. The file includes an alert one hour before booking opens.

Special quotas

Ladies, Senior Citizen/Lower Berth, Defense, Duty Pass and Foreign Tourist quotas each have their own eligibility rules and seat availability. The advance reservation period is the same for all of them.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about IRCTC advance booking.

When does IRCTC General Quota booking open?

60 days before the journey date (not counting the journey date itself) at 8:00 AM IST.

What time does Tatkal booking start?

One day before the journey. AC classes open at 10:00 AM IST and Non-AC classes at 11:00 AM IST.

How do I calculate the IRCTC advance reservation period?

Enter your journey date in the calculator above. It subtracts 60 days for General quota and 1 day for Tatkal.

Can I add IRCTC booking dates to my calendar?

Yes. Export to Google, Apple, Microsoft 365, Outlook or Yahoo Calendar, or download an .ics file with a reminder one hour before booking opens.

Does the 60-day period change for other quotas?

No. The advance reservation period is the same for every quota. Eligibility and seat availability differ.

Is this calculator affiliated with IRCTC or Indian Railways?

No. It's an independent, free tool. Confirm timings on the official IRCTC website or app before you book.