IRCTC PNR: Your Primary Train Information Source

When a reservation is made for a ticket on the Indian Railways, vital information about the traveler is automatically recorded in a unified computer. This information is discretely connected to a ten-digit code. On your ticket, the PNR number serves as the key reference for this unique code. Before boarding the train, your PNR status 10 digit must be frequently monitored. 

It is even more crucial to track your PNRs most recent status if your allocated ticket is still in the W/L after the release of the boarding chart. Because boarding an IRCTC train demands a confirmed or RAC (Reservation against cancellation) ticket.

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A Summary of PNR Numbers

The abbreviation “PNR” corresponds to a record in the Indian railway’s computerised reservation system (IR-CRS) database that holds data for a specific passenger or group of passengers’ train trips.

PNR numbers are normally printed in the upper left corner of tickets acquired from train stations. On the online IRCTC tickets or e-tickets, the PNR is displayed in a separate cell at the top.

PNR numbers facilitate the reservation procedure for all parties involved, including passengers and the Ministry of Railways. Through the online PNR status trains enquiry service, passengers can utilize their PNR numbers to get various information on their coach and journey. The following information is encoded into the PNR number for each passenger:

A person’s identity, including age, gender, date of birth, phone number, and email address. 

Information about their train trip, such as the source and destination stations, coach name and number, seat number, ticket number, ticket status, and payment method.

Types of IRCTC Trains and Generation of PNR 

In 1853, Indian Railway operated the first train between Mumbai and Thane. Mumbai and Thane are located inside Maharashtra’s western coastal regions. Today’s trains on the Indian Railways result from gradual technical progress. Currently, IRCTC is responsible for various local passenger and express trains. Based on their average pace and the number of halts they make along the route, the following classifications apply:

1. Metro Rail:

   These trains have the most modern facilities and technologies. It is active in Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata, among other Indian cities. Due to their popularity, the government has approved the expansion of these metro trains to additional major cities. Metro Rail tickets do not generate a unique PNR number due to the inability to reserve seats. These normally depart at the designated time and move at a reasonable speed.

2. Suburban Locals:

   They exist only in a small number of large Indian cities, such as Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai. These are additional trains where it is impossible to reserve seats, making obtaining PNR status for tickets difficult. These are further divided into quick and sluggish localities. While fast locals generally stop at the most important stations, slow locals stop throughout every station.

3. Passenger Trains:

   Fast and slow passenger trains travel between major, distant cities. Passenger trains that go slowly must stop at each station along the way. Since reserved tickets are unavailable, PNR numbers are not available.

4. Express and Super-Fast Express Trains:

   These trains travel more quickly than the earlier ones. It is possible to purchase a reserved railway seat for long-distance travel. While tickets are booked by travelers, the 10-digit unique number is in the ticket.  We use the PNR number to get information about our train routes, seats, and so on.  Unreserved train tickets have access to PNR status-checking instruments.

5. Shatabdi and Jan Shatabdi:

   The Indian Railways offer express trains to connect vital stations distanced by a short range. There are no sleeper coaches available. There is nothing else present besides chairs. Shatabdi trains are air-conditioned, whereas Jan Shatabdi trains have AC and non-AC cars. One can reserve seats for this train category and check the PNR status.

6. Garib Rath:

   These trains feature three-tiered air-conditioned cars, and their ticket prices are typically lower than those of other air-conditioned trains. Checking Garib Rath’s PNR status is possible.

7. Rajdhani Express:

   These entirely air-conditioned trains connect India’s major cities. They are the top trians among Indian Railways and typically run on schedule. On their travels, they only make a few stops. Seat reservations are available on these trains. You can see the live status of Rajdhani Express on our website RailMitra.

8. Duronto Express:

   Indian Railways has recently inaugurated the Duronto Express, a destination-to-origin train service. Along the route from origin to destination, these trains make no stops.

PNR Status Overview

It is easier to board a train with a confirmed seat because each train has a fixed number of seats. Cancellation of reserved tickets results in the availability of train seats, elevating the status of waitlist tickets. This current reservation status is often called PNR 10 digits.

Waitlist Ticket Types and Their Priority for Confirmation

Railways permit several waitlist quotas depending on certain factors when a ticket is not confirmed.

1. GNWL (General Waiting List): The possibility of receiving a GNWL ticket is the priority. You are eligible for a GNWL quota if you begin your journey from a station near the origin station and end it close to the destination station.
2. Tatkal Waiting List (CKWL): If you book your ticket using the tatkal quota, you will be placed on the Tatkal Waiting List and be notified when seats become available. You should be aware that IRCTC will confirm tickets for GNWL before CKWL. Consequently, the likelihood that railroads will validate a CKWL ticket is minimal.

Tickets bought through the supplementary waiting list quotas set by the Indian Railways for long-distance trains have minuscule odds of being confirmed. Among these quotas are:

• RSWL is the Roadside Station Waiting List.
• PQWL – Waiting List for Shared Quotas
• RLWL- Distant Location Waiting List
• RQWL- Request Waiting List
• RLGN – Waiting List for Remote Locations

Means for Checking PNR Position

For PNR status enquiries, there are various available venues. Following are the few common alternatives :

• Indian Railway Website: This is the most popular technique, as it is the quickest and most accurate way to determine your current PNR status. 
• RailMitra Enquiry Service Platform: An AI-powered online train service, RailMitra allows Indian train passengers to check the status of their confirmed reservations. In addition to PNR enquiries, it offers tools to search the station code, train coach position, and running status of the train.
• Railway’s 139/ 5676747SMS Helpline: Railway department has implemented an SMS service for PNR enquiries to boost customer satisfaction. It is useful and convenient for passengers without an internet connection. The SMS services include:

1. 139 SMS Helpline is the first messaging support number established by IRCTC. Utilise this format to confirm PNR status on mobile. Send PNR [your PNR number] to 139. 
2. 5676747 SMS service from  Rail One. Send an SMS containing your PNR number to 5676747.

• Indian Train station’s information desks.
• Final reservation charts: Prepared two to three hours before train departure. On railroad stations the platform notice board is displaying the final reservation charts.

Due to its varied applications, you must keep your PNR safe until you are aboard the train. Train enquiry apps and websites simplify train tracking and improve train travel. They can assist you with duties such as PNR status, train timetable, fare inquiries, etc.

RailMitra is your one-stop shop for planning and carrying out your journeys. You can research your train and ticket status online with exceptional resources such as railway PNR status 10 digit.

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Author: RailMitra