Diwali and Chhath train tickets are selling fast—know the exact rules before believing a “100% confirmed” claim

Indian Railways can issue confirmed, RAC or waitlisted tickets depending on real-time quota availability. IRCTC’s own terms do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free service, and Tatkal can also return waitlisted tickets. Preparation may improve a traveller’s chances, but “100% confirmed” is an indefensible promise.

For most trains, the Advance Reservation Period is 60 days, excluding the journey date. Opening-day reservations generally begin at 8:00 am. Diwali falls on November 8 in 2026 and Chhath Puja on November 15, so travellers should calculate the window from their actual journey date—not only the festival date.

IRCTC lets users save passenger information in a Master List and fetch it during booking, reducing repeated typing. Names, ages and identity details must still be accurate. IRCTC advises keeping no more than six passengers in the list when booking during the restricted opening period.

Prepare a first-choice train and class plus realistic alternatives. A weekly or special train can help only if it has seats for the selected origin, destination, date and quota; it is not automatically less crowded. Check availability again immediately before booking because inventory changes continuously.

IRCTC eWallet can hold money in advance and appears as a payment option, avoiding a separate banking login. If regular quota is unavailable, Tatkal opens one day before departure from the train’s originating station: 10:00 am for AC classes and 11:00 am for non-AC classes. Availability is still not guaranteed.