Use the train's departure time from its originating station, not the time it reaches your boarding station — charts are prepared against the origin.
When Is the Reservation Chart Prepared?
Indian Railways prepares two charts for every train. The first chart does the real work: it allots berths, settles most waiting lists and fixes coach and berth numbers. The final chart, prepared 30 minutes before departure, sweeps up cancellations made after the first chart — which is how RAC passengers can still be upgraded at the last minute.
The timing of the first chart depends on one thing only: what time the train leaves its originating station. Not your boarding station, not the train category, not the quota you booked under.
| Train departs (from origin) | First chart | Final chart |
|---|---|---|
| 5:00 AM – 2:00 PM | 8:00 PM the previous night | 30 minutes before departure |
| After 2:00 PM, or before 5:00 AM | 10 hours before departure |
Those two rules together put first charting somewhere between 9 and 18 hours before departure — 9 hours for a 5 AM train charted at 8 PM the night before, 18 hours for a 2 PM train charted at the same time. Charts used to be prepared about 4 hours ahead; the move was made so waitlisted passengers learn their status early enough to make other arrangements.
What Chart Preparation Means for Your Ticket
| Your status | What happens at the first chart |
|---|---|
| Confirmed | Coach and berth numbers are finalised. You can still cancel until 8 hours before departure — since charting now happens 9–18 hours ahead, being charted no longer costs you the refund. |
| RAC | You can board and share a side-lower berth. Cancellations between the first and final chart can still upgrade you to a full berth. Cancel until 30 minutes before departure for a refund minus ₹60 clerkage. |
| Waitlisted | If every passenger on an e-ticket PNR is still waitlisted, the booking is dropped automatically and refunded minus ₹60 clerkage per passenger. A fully waitlisted e-ticket is not valid for travel. |
Since April 2026 e-tickets no longer need a Ticket Deposit Receipt — you cancel online and the refund is processed automatically, whether or not the chart has been prepared.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about reservation chart preparation
The Rule in Brief
| Departs 5 AM–2 PM | Chart 8 PM previous night |
| Any other time | Chart 10 hrs before |
| Final chart | 30 min before departure |
| Cancel confirmed | Until 8 hrs before |
| Cancel RAC / WL | Until 30 min before |
Chart Already Out?
See exactly which berths fell empty on your train, coach by coach.
Vacant Seat FinderChart Closes Tatkal
Tatkal booking runs until this chart is prepared. Find the exact minute the window opens.
Tatkal Time CalculatorCancelling Instead?
Work out exactly what you get back before the 8-hour deadline passes.
Refund CalculatorFull Train Schedule
Running days and station-by-station timings for any train.
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