IRCTC Chart Preparation Time (2026): First & Second Chart Timings & Rules
When is the train reservation chart prepared? Discover verified timings for morning & night trains, 1st chart (4 hrs before) vs 2nd chart (30 mins before), and WL/RAC rules.
"Chart preparation" is the moment Indian Railways finalises who's actually travelling on a train — and it's the single biggest turning point for anyone sitting on a waitlisted or RAC ticket. Here's what it means in practice.
There are two charts, not one
Every train gets a first (main) chart, followed later by a second (final) chart. As a general rule of thumb, the first chart is prepared a few hours before departure from the originating station — earlier in the evening for trains that leave very early the next morning — and the final chart is prepared shortly before departure, updating for last-minute cancellations and current bookings. The exact windows have been revised by Indian Railways more than once in recent years, so treat this as the general pattern rather than a fixed number, and check your PNR status close to departure for your specific train.
What changes for CNF, RAC and WL at each chart
- CNF (Confirmed) — nothing changes for you; your coach and berth were already assigned at booking.
- RAC — you can already board and share a berth; at chart time, RAC passengers move into any full berth that's opened up through cancellations, ahead of anyone still on the waitlist.
- WL (Waitlisted) e-ticket — if it's still not confirmed or RAC by the first chart, it can still move at the final chart as more cancellations come in. If it's still fully waitlisted after the final chart, it's automatically cancelled and refunded, minus a small clerkage charge — you cannot board on it.
"Current booking" after the chart
Once the first chart is out, any berths that remain vacant (or open up from cancellations) become available again as "current" bookings — through IRCTC, the app, or a reservation counter — right up until shortly before departure. This is worth checking if your search shows WL for the full route but you're flexible about boarding partway along it: seats can appear on a shorter segment even when the full origin-to-destination search doesn't show any.
Pro tip: If your ticket is fully waitlisted going into chart preparation, don't wait passively — opt into the Vikalp scheme in advance, and have a backup train, bus, or flight ready so you're not scrambling in the final hour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Verified answers to the most common questions about this topic.