| Tatkal reservation in the Indian railway is a very | | | | of your journey. That is, you have to book a |
| convenient system for those who could not | | | | ticket from Chennai to Delhi, not from Hyderabad |
| make reservation in the normal procedure. 'Tatkal' | | | | to Bhopal. However, in some cases there are |
| means 'immediate' and this facility is available in | | | | exceptions to this rule. |
| most of the trains and train routes. In the past, | | | | While you book your seat under tatkal scheme in |
| the trains on which tatkal journey was allowed | | | | the Indian railways, you will have to remit |
| were indicated with a 'T' at the end of the train | | | | additional amount than the ordinary charges. This |
| number. But now that system has come to an | | | | additional charge may be Rs.50 or Rs.200 or |
| end. If you want to avail the tatkal scheme, you | | | | sometimes it can be as high as Rs.200 depending |
| need to apply at least 2 days in advance. The 2 | | | | on the class and distance of the journey. In order |
| days prior date is exclusive of the day of journey. | | | | to book ticket under the tatkal scheme, you need |
| This is in effect 3 days prior booking. Tatkal trains | | | | to produce a photo affixed Identity Document. |
| are not exclusive for tatkal passengers only. As a | | | | This identification document can be your Passport, |
| matter of fact, this facility is arranged on regular | | | | PAN Card, Credit Card, Driving License, etc. |
| express trains. A few special coaches are | | | | Photo identification card is essential for the tatkal |
| attached to express trains for tatkal | | | | passenger on the train also when the Traveling |
| arrangements. | | | | Ticket Examiner (TTE) asks for it. Your ID |
| Those who are going to avail the tatkal | | | | number is noted on the ticket by the TTE to |
| reservation facility of the Indian railway need to | | | | ensure that the ticket is not sold in the black |
| know that this sort of reservation is available for | | | | market. You can book for up to a group of 6 |
| the full length of the journey of the rain. For | | | | passengers under one ticket and for that only |
| instance, suppose the train starts from Chennai | | | | one ID is sufficient. Cancellation provision for |
| and its final stop is New Delhi, but you want to | | | | tickets is not available for tatkal ticket. You |
| board the train at Hyderabad and detrain at | | | | cannot cancel a tatkal ticket. Even then, this |
| Bhopal, you will have to book a ticket for the | | | | scheme is a boon for those who are in an |
| entire length of the journey of the train and not | | | | emergency. |