Indian Railways is considered the largest railway network in the world, serving millions of passengers daily through its extensive network of trains.
With such huge demand, especially during peak times, the chances of getting a confirmed seat are not guaranteed for all passengers who have reserved their tickets.
This is where PNR Status and ticket status codes come into play. By Track PNR Status, passengers can know the current reservation status of their ticket, whether it is confirmed, RAC, waitlisted, or falls under a special category.
The most frequently used codes in Indian Railways ticketing are RAC, GNWL, PQWL, RLWL, and TQWL. Each of these codes indicates a different booking status and reflects your chances of getting a seat on the train. Knowing what these codes mean can greatly assist in planning your journey.
GNWL vs RAC vs PQWL vs RLWL vs TQWL:
The table below provides a clear comparison of the most common waitlist categories used by Indian Railways:
| Waitlist Type | Full Form | Issued When | Confirmation Chances | Notes |
| GNWL | General Waitlist | Booking from the source station to the destination | Highest | Best waitlist type; usually clears first |
| RAC | Reservation Against Cancellation | Partial availability | Very High | Seat shared; allowed to board |
| PQWL | Pooled Quota Waitlist | Booking between intermediate stations | Medium | Clears after GNWL |
| RLWL | Remote Location Waitlist | Booking from a remote station | Low | Often remains waitlisted |
| TQWL | Tatkal Waitlist | Booking under the Tatkal quota | Very Low | Rarely gets confirmed |
What is RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation)?
RAC or Reservation Against Cancellation is a status code that you receive when booking a railway ticket, and it refers to the situation where your ticket is partially confirmed with a berth allocation; nevertheless, you are still allowed to board the train.
In an RAC case, you will get a shared berth or seat, which is usually the lower side berth that you share with another passenger. RAC is a halfway house between a totally confirmed ticket and a waitlist ticket.
A ticket with RAC status is a better option than a waitlist because it assures a place on the train, although it doesn’t assure a full berth. During the booking process, if all the confirmed seats are occupied but there is still demand for tickets, the railway system automatically converts cancellations of no-shows into RAC tickets.
What is GNWL (General Waiting List)?
The General Waiting List, commonly referred to as GNWL, is the most popular waiting list category that passengers of Indian Railways experience.
In situations where trains are completely sold out, and no confirmed seats are left, the system automatically assigns a passenger to GNWL if they have booked their journey at the originating station or a station close to the route.
A GNWL ticket number signifies the queue position, for instance, GNWL 25. If 25 people are waiting in front of you, your ticket confirmation depends on the number of cancellations by other passengers who have already booked confirmed tickets.
RailMitra recommends that passengers check their PNR status regularly after booking a GNWL ticket and stay informed about changes in waitlist numbers. Once the chart is finalised, the status is considered final; If the chart is not finalised, then the ticket is automatically cancelled, and a refund is processed, minus any applicable charges.
Apart from ticket status, Current Train Running Status is another crucial feature for railway passengers. It provides real-time information about a train’s current location, delays, expected arrival and departure times, and platform updates.
What Is PQWL (Pooled Quota Waiting List)?
The Pooled Quota Waiting List, also known as PQWL, has a distinctly different nature from the general waiting list.
The quota is established to regulate the reservations of passengers travelling to intermediate stations that are neither the starting nor the final point of the train.
PQWL tickets differ from GNWL tickets in that they are issued when the demand for seats is specific to a segment of the journey that does not fall under the general quota.
Moreover, like GNWL, PQWL tickets are dependent on confirmations of seat cancellations to move up the list; however, as they are a smaller pool, the opportunities for confirmation are limited.
A number of the travellers with PQWL status discover that their tickets are still not confirmed when the chart is being prepared and therefore get cancelled. For this reason, PQWL is considered one of the most difficult waiting lists in terms of confirmation.
What is RLWL (Remote Location Waiting List)?
The Remote Location Waiting List (RLWL) refers to passengers whose journey originates from a remote or intermediate station, rather than the train’s main station.
In fact, the majority of trains have specific short or intermediate stops, whereby a small number of seats are allotted for passengers going there. If regular confirmed seats are fully booked, then passengers taking the train from these remote stations will be placed on the RLWL.
When cancellations occur on confirmed tickets for journeys that start from these remote stations, the position of the RLWL may improve, but it remains challenging to obtain confirmation.
The final reservation chart, prepared a few hours before the train departs, indicates whether any RLWL tickets have been confirmed; if not, the ticket is automatically cancelled.
What is TQWL (Tatkal Quota Waiting List)?
The Tatkal Quota Waiting List, or TQWL, is associated with the Tatkal scheme – a reservation system allowing passengers to book last-minute tickets at a higher fare just before the journey date.
The Tatkal window allows a limited number of seats to be sold at premium prices to those who need to travel urgently.
However, when all the Tatkal seats are booked and more passengers are still requesting tickets in this quota, the extra tickets will be allocated to TQWL. Other than GNWL or RAC, tickets under TQWL very seldom get confirmed. Thus, TQWL tickets frequently remain on the waitlist and are usually cancelled before the train departs if they don’t get cleared.
How to Check Waitlist Status in PNR?
After booking a ticket, if your status is waitlisted, the next most vital thing to do is to keep an eye on your PNR status. The Passenger Name Record (PNR) is a unique 10-digit number assigned to every train ticket, and it serves as a key to access your ticket information.
You can know your waiting list status by performing the following actions:
Use only recognised railway sources:
Type your PNR number on the Indian Railways or IRCTC site. The system shows live updates regarding your booking status, coach information (if allocated), and confirmation odds.
Mobile apps and travel websites:
Several railway mobile applications offer instant PNR updates. Additionally, these apps often feature prediction tools that utilise both historical data and cancellation trends.
By SMS or helpline services:
There are services that allow you to send your PNR number via SMS and receive instant updates, which is helpful when internet access is restricted.
Chart preparation is a crucial steps in the railway booking process. Normally, it takes place twice, once about four hours before the train’s scheduled departure and again just before the last boarding time for specific stations.
What Happens to Waitlisted Tickets After Chart Preparation?
The following describes the fate of waitlisted tickets after chart preparation:
Confirmed tickets are solidified:
Passengers whose waitlist number falls within the available seat range are given a confirmed berth or seat.
RAC tickets receive partial allocation:
RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) tickets allow passengers to board the train and share the available seating space until a full berth becomes available.
Automatically cancelled tickets with full waitlist status (e-tickets):
When your e-ticket is in the fully waitlisted category after the chart has been prepared, it gets automatically cancelled, and the payment is refunded through the original mode.
Different rules may apply for counter tickets:
For tickets issued at the counters, passengers should consult the cancellation and refund policies directly with the railway authorities.
Ways to Increase Your Chances of Getting a Ticket Confirmation:
Although there is no certainty in confirmation, several methods can significantly enhance the likelihood of obtaining a confirmed ticket.
Sometimes, it is possible to free up seats through last-minute cancellations even after the charts have been made. By keeping track of the Live Train Status along with your ticket status, you can be informed about any delays, rescheduling, or changes in operations that might influence the availability of seats.
Tips to Increase Ticket Confirmation Chances:
Your position on the waitlist can shift many times before chart preparation due to passenger cancellations, quota releases, or the addition of new coaches.
Therefore, it is crucial to check your PNR status regularly, especially within the last 24 hours before departure. So, check the other important tips to increase your ticket confirmation chances given below.
1. Be Flexible and Book Early:
The waitlist number is likely the lowest if you book the ticket early. Being flexible with travel dates, train numbers, or class options (such as Sleeper instead of AC) can also increase the probability of confirmation.
2. Pick High-Frequency Trains:
The routes with multiple daily trains usually experience a higher cancellation rate. This contributes to the turnover of seats and increases the chances of getting confirmations for waitlisted passengers.
3. Go for Quotas that are Alternative:
If you qualify, booking under certain quotas, such as Ladies, Senior Citizens, or Tatkal (when applicable), can increase your chances. Different quotas have different seat allocations.
4. Update Your Status Frequently:
Checking your PNR status frequently allows you to take the right step; for example, if confirmation does not seem likely, you can book an alternative train.
5. Get Ready for the Journey’s Experience:
If your ticket is confirmed close to departure, planning essentials such as luggage, timing, and food on train Online options can help reduce last-minute stress. Many long-distance trains offer pantry services or station-based catering, which can be pre-ordered through official channels.
Final Thoughts: Navigating Indian Railway Reservations
Becoming familiar with these ticket status codes – RAC, GNWL, PQWL, RLWL, and TQWL will significantly impact your train trip planning and help you manage expectations.
Every code corresponds to a specific reservation scenario, influenced by the combination of demand, quotas, and cancellations over the Indian Railways booking system.
While GNWL usually provides the highest probability of confirmation for waiting lists, PQWL and RLWL are rather dependent on the situation, and TQWL has the least chance of being granted.
On the other hand, RAC guarantees a seat on the train and the possibility of being later upgraded to a full berth.
Image Source: Rail Mitra