Are Tatkal tickets available for special railway trains as well? Find out the booking rules and timings..

In anticipation of the passenger rush during Diwali and Chhath, hundreds of special trains have been announced from various stations across the country. These special trains are operated to accommodate passengers and provide them with confirmed tickets, given the long waiting lists on regular trains. However, the passenger demand is so high that tickets for these special trains are also being booked rapidly. Consequently, many people wonder whether it is possible to book 'Tatkal' (urgent/immediate) tickets for these festival special trains, just as one can for regular trains.

Is the 'Tatkal' facility available on special trains?
According to Indian Railways' regulations, the 'Tatkal' quota is not automatically available on all special trains. You can book a 'Tatkal' ticket for a special train only if the Railways has specifically included a 'Tatkal' quota provision for that train in its official notification or schedule. Many special trains—particularly those operated during festivals, often identified by a 'zero-series' number (where the train number begins with zero)—only offer general and premium reservation categories. Therefore, it is advisable to check the available quotas for a specific train on the IRCTC portal before proceeding with a booking.

Booking Rules and Timings
If a special train includes a 'Tatkal' quota, the same rules that apply to regular trains are applicable. For AC classes, 'Tatkal' ticket booking begins at 10:00 AM, one day prior to the date of travel, while for Sleeper and other non-AC classes, it begins at 11:00 AM. Under the 'Tatkal' scheme, a maximum of 4 passengers can be booked on a single PNR.

If a 'Tatkal' ticket booked for a special train is confirmed and you subsequently cancel it, no refund is provided, in accordance with Railway rules. However, if a train is cancelled or departs from its originating station more than 3 hours behind schedule, the rule for a full refund applies. Additionally, if a Tatkal ticket is on the waiting list, you will receive a full refund.

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