To check a train PNR status, open the Indian Railways PNR enquiry page, type in the 10-digit PNR number printed on your ticket, solve the captcha and submit. You can also check it in the IRCTC or RailOne apps, by calling 139, or by texting “PNR <10-digit number>” to 139. Every method reads from the same railway reservation database, so they all give the same answer. None of them costs anything, apart from standard SMS charges on the text option.
Where do I find my PNR number?
The PNR (Passenger Name Record) is a 10-digit number. It’s printed at the top left of a counter ticket and at the top of an e-ticket’s PDF. It also appears in the confirmation SMS and email sent at booking. If you booked through IRCTC, it’s listed under My Account → My Transactions → Booked Ticket History. One PNR can cover up to six passengers on the same journey, and the status of each passenger is shown separately.
Which method should I use?
| Method | What you need | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| indianrail.gov.in website | Browser, PNR, captcha | Official result with full passenger breakdown |
| IRCTC website/app | IRCTC login | Tickets you booked on your own account |
| RailOne app (CRIS) | Smartphone | PNR, live train status and booking in one app |
| Call 139 | Any phone | No internet access |
| SMS to 139 | Any phone, standard SMS charge | Weak signal, feature phones |
CRIS (the Centre for Railway Information Systems) builds and runs the railway’s passenger systems, including the reservation database and the RailOne app. Third-party apps such as ConfirmTkt, ixigo and Where Is My Train pull from the same data. Some also show a predicted chance of confirmation, but that’s only the app’s own estimate, not an official figure.
What do the status codes mean?
- CNF: Confirmed. A coach and berth number (for example B2 34) appear once the chart is prepared, or earlier for some bookings.
- RAC: Reservation Against Cancellation. You can board and you get half a side-lower berth, shared with one other passenger, until a full berth frees up.
- GNWL: General waitlist, for passengers boarding at or near the train’s origin. It has the best odds of confirming.
- RLWL: Remote location waitlist, for intermediate stations that have their own quota. It confirms less often.
- PQWL: Pooled quota waitlist, shared between several short-distance stations. It has low odds.
- TQWL: Tatkal waitlist. Tatkal passengers only get cancellations from within the Tatkal quota, so the odds are low.
- RSWL: Roadside station waitlist, for journeys starting at the origin’s adjacent stations.
- CAN / NOSB: Cancelled / No Seat Berth. NOSB is a child fare booked without a berth.
You’ll often see two statuses, such as “WL 45 / RAC 12”. The first is your status at booking and the second is your current status. Only the current one matters.
When is the final status known?
Your status is final when the reservation chart is prepared. Indian Railways moved the first chart to about 8 hours before departure. For trains leaving before 14:00, the chart is prepared at around 21:00 the night before. A second chart is prepared about 30 minutes before departure and assigns any berths that were cancelled in between. Once charting is done, the PNR page shows “Chart Prepared”. Times can vary by train and zone, so check the chart status on the Indian Railways enquiry portal rather than assuming.
What happens if my ticket is still waitlisted after charting?
It depends on how you booked:
- E-ticket, every passenger on WL: the ticket is cancelled automatically and the fare, minus a clerkage charge, is refunded to your original payment method. Refunds usually arrive within 3–7 working days, depending on your bank.
- E-ticket, some passengers confirmed or RAC: everyone on the PNR can travel. The waitlisted passengers have to sort out their place with the Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE).
- Counter ticket on WL: it isn’t cancelled automatically. Cancel it at a reservation counter, or online through IRCTC using the PNR, before the deadline to get a refund.
Passengers with waitlisted tickets aren’t allowed in reserved sleeper or AC coaches, and anyone found there can be fined. Refund rules and deadlines are set out in the cancellation section of IRCTC.
How do I check the PNR by SMS or phone?
Text PNR 1234567890, using your own number in place of the example, to 139. You’ll get a reply within a minute or two with each passenger’s current status and the chart status. You can also call 139, the national rail enquiry line, choose your language, select the PNR option and key in the number. The 139 line also gives train running status and handles complaints.
Can I check whether the train is on time at the same time?
Yes. Your PNR shows your booking, not where the train is. For live running status, platform numbers and delays, use the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) or the running status screen in RailOne. On the day of travel, check both: your PNR for the coach and berth, and NTES for the platform and expected arrival.
Why does my PNR show “Flushed PNR” or an error?
PNRs are cleared from the enquiry system a few days after the journey date, and then the page reports the number as invalid or flushed. You’ll also get an error if you mistype a digit, enter a ticket number in place of the PNR, or hit a server slowdown around 08:00–11:00 during the Tatkal rush. Recheck the number, wait a few minutes and try again, or text 139 instead.
