What Does the PNR Status of a Train Ticket Indicate?

When you book a train ticket in India, whether through the IRCTC website, mobile app, or a third-party service like Zoop, a unique Passenger Name Record (PNR) number is generated. This 10-digit number contains vital information about your journey and the current status of your booking. But what does the PNR status really indicate? Let’s break it down and understand the key aspects of PNR status in the context of Indian Railways.

What is PNR?

PNR stands for Passenger Name Record. It’s a unique number that contains the details of your travel itinerary, including:

• Passenger details like name, age, and gender.
• Train number, class, date of journey, and boarding station.
• Current booking status (whether your ticket is confirmed, waitlisted, or in RAC).
• The fare you paid and other transaction-related information.

The PNR number serves as a reference point for you to check the status of your ticket before boarding the train.

PNR Status Types and Their Meaning

The PNR status of your train ticket can indicate several things depending on the availability of seats and your booking status. Let’s look at the different types of PNR statuses and what they mean:

1. CNF (Confirmed Ticket)

If your PNR status shows CNF, congratulations! It means your seat or berth is confirmed. The coach and seat number will be displayed on your ticket, and you’re all set for your journey. In this case, you don’t need to worry about any changes, and you can proceed with your travel plans as scheduled.

2. WL (Waitlisted Ticket)

A WL or waitlisted ticket means that your booking has not yet been confirmed, and you’re on a waiting list for a seat. Your ticket status may change to confirmed if other passengers cancel their tickets before the journey. Indian Railways categorizes waitlisted tickets into different types, such as:

• GNWL (General Waitlist): The most common type of waitlist, which applies when you’re booking from the train’s source station.
• RLWL (Remote Location Waitlist): Applicable if you’re boarding from an intermediate station.
• TQWL (Tatkal Waitlist): If you book under the Tatkal quota and don’t get a confirmed seat, you’ll be placed in the Tatkal waitlist.

A waitlisted ticket does not guarantee travel, and if it remains waitlisted after the final chart preparation (typically 4 hours before departure), the ticket is automatically canceled, and you will receive a refund if booked online.

3. RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation)

If your PNR status shows RAC, it means that you have a reserved seat, but it’s a shared berth. Two passengers are usually allotted the same berth, and they share the seating space. As other passengers cancel their confirmed bookings, RAC tickets are often upgraded to fully confirmed berths.

The advantage of an RAC ticket is that you can board the train and occupy your seat, but you may have to share your berth until it’s confirmed.

4. CAN (Cancelled Ticket)

If your PNR status displays CAN, it means that your ticket has been canceled, either by you or automatically by the system if your waitlisted ticket did not get confirmed. In such cases, you are eligible for a refund depending on the cancellation policy.

5. NOSB (No Seat Berth)

In some cases, especially for children below 12 years who travel at a discounted fare, the PNR status might show NOSB. This means the passenger is allowed to travel but without a reserved seat or berth. If you booked a seat for the child, the PNR status would change accordingly.

6. PQWL (Pooled Quota Waitlist)

A PQWL status means that your ticket is under the pooled quota, which is generally allocated for passengers boarding at an intermediate station and traveling a short distance compared to the overall train journey. PQWL tickets are confirmed based on cancellations within that specific quota.

How to Check Your PNR Status

There are several ways to check your PNR status before your journey:

1. Via Zoop

The Zoop app allows you to check your PNR status quickly and easily. Simply open the app, enter your 10-digit PNR number, and get real-time updates on your ticket status, whether it’s confirmed, waitlisted, or in RAC.

2. On the IRCTC Website or App

You can also visit the official IRCTC website or use the IRCTC Rail Connect app to check your PNR status. Log in to your account, navigate to the “PNR Enquiry” section, and enter your PNR number to get the latest information.

3. SMS Service

Send an SMS with your PNR number to 139 in the format: PNR <10-digit PNR number>. You will receive an SMS reply with your current ticket status.

4. Train Enquiry Counters

At railway stations, you can also check your PNR status by visiting the enquiry counters or looking it up on the digital PNR status boards.

Factors That Affect PNR Status

Several factors can influence your PNR status and whether your waitlisted ticket gets confirmed:

• Booking Time: Early bookings usually have a higher chance of confirmation.
• Travel Season: During peak travel seasons, like festivals or holidays, tickets are more likely to remain waitlisted due to high demand.
• Quota Availability: Different quotas (like ladies quota, senior citizen quota, etc.) impact the confirmation process.
• Cancellations: The more cancellations occur before the chart preparation, the better the chances of your ticket moving from waitlisted or RAC to confirmed.

Why PNR Status is Important

Knowing your PNR status is crucial for several reasons:

• It determines whether you can board the train or not. A confirmed or RAC ticket allows you to travel, while a waitlisted ticket may not.
• It gives you peace of mind about your travel arrangements, especially during busy travel periods.
• You can plan your journey better by knowing if your ticket is confirmed, or if you need to make alternative arrangements in case of a waitlisted ticket.

Conclusion

Your PNR status is a vital part of your train travel experience, giving you up-to-date information on your booking. Whether you’re a frequent traveler or just taking a one-time journey, understanding your PNR status and checking it regularly ensures a smooth and hassle-free trip.

When you’re planning your next train journey, download the Zoop app to stay updated on your PNR status and live train running status. This way, you’ll always be informed and ready for your journey.