
Indian Railways Introduces Last-Minute Booking on Vande Bharat Trains
In a significant move aimed at improving passenger convenience and enhancing seat utilization, Indian Railways has rolled out a last-minute booking facility for Vande Bharat trains. The new feature allows travelers to reserve tickets up to 15 minutes before the train’s departure from intermediate stations—marking a major shift from the existing booking rules.
Until now, current booking was only available up to the train’s departure from its originating station. However, the latest upgrade to the Passenger Reservation System (PRS) enables bookings from midway stations, helping passengers secure vacant seats at the last moment.
What Has Changed?
Earlier, Indian Railways’ PRS only allowed current bookings until the train left its starting point. This meant that passengers who intended to board the train from intermediate stations couldn’t make last-minute reservations, even if seats were available.
Now, with the PRS upgrade, passengers can book any vacant seat up to 15 minutes before the train’s departure from their specific boarding station, provided the train is one of the selected Vande Bharat routes.
This initiative is part of Indian Railways’ broader effort to maximize occupancy, reduce ticketing friction, and cater to spontaneous or emergency travel needs.
Routes Eligible for Last-Minute Booking
Currently, the last-minute booking facility is limited to certain Vande Bharat Express trains. Below is the list of eligible routes:
- 20631 Mangaluru Central – Thiruvananthapuram Central
- 20632 Thiruvananthapuram Central – Mangaluru Central
- 20627 Chennai Egmore – Nagercoil
- 20628 Nagercoil – Chennai Egmore
- 20642 Coimbatore – Bengaluru Cantt.
- 20646 Mangaluru Central – Madgaon
- 20671 Madurai – Bengaluru Cantt.
- 20677 Dr MGR Chennai Central – Vijayawada
Indian Railways is likely to expand this facility to more trains based on performance and demand in the coming months.
How to Book Vande Bharat Tickets at the Last Minute
The booking process has been made simple and entirely digital through the IRCTC platform. Here are the steps to follow:
- Open the IRCTC website or mobile app.
- Enter your source and destination on an eligible Vande Bharat route.
- If you're within an hour of the train’s scheduled departure from your boarding station, select the “Current Booking” or “Book Now” option.
- If seats are available, you will get an instant confirmed ticket.
- Proceed to payment, and your e-ticket will be issued.
The system ensures that any unconfirmed waitlisted tickets are auto-cancelled shortly before departure, allowing those seats to be reallocated to last-minute travelers in real time.
Why This Move Matters
This initiative by Indian Railways benefits multiple stakeholders:
- For passengers: It’s a game-changer for those traveling from small towns or making urgent plans. No more stress about booking in advance or missing out on vacant seats.
- For the railways: It improves the occupancy rate of premium trains like Vande Bharat, ensuring fewer empty seats.
- For the system: The real-time PRS update shows the technological advancement and adaptability of the Indian railway network.
Final Thoughts
The launch of last-minute ticket booking on select Vande Bharat trains marks another step forward for Indian Railways in modernizing its services and making travel more passenger-friendly. While currently limited to a handful of routes, the success of this feature could prompt a broader rollout across more trains in the future.
Whether you're a daily commuter or a last-minute traveler, this new facility can be a real lifesaver—offering convenience, speed, and flexibility like never before in India’s railway ecosystem.