Save Time at the Station: Download Railway Counter Ticket Form in Advance

Have you ever stood in a long railway queue, finally reached the counter, and then realized you don’t have the Railway Counter Ticket reservation form filled? I’ve seen this happen countless times at Chennai Central and Ernakulam Junction. The clerk hands over the form, you start filling it nervously while 20 people behind you get impatient.

The smarter way is simple: carry the filled form with you. Indian Railways allows passengers to download the Railway Counter Ticket Reservation Form PDF and even the Tatkal Booking Form from home. Print it, fill it at leisure, and directly hand it over at the counter. You’ll save time, avoid mistakes, and improve your chances of getting a Tatkal ticket.

Why You Need the Railway Counter Ticket Reservation Form

The Railway Counter Ticket Reservation Form is compulsory for booking tickets at PRS (Passenger Reservation System) counters in India. It helps the booking clerk quickly enter details into the system.

• ✅ Used for both general reservations and Tatkal bookings
• ✅ Ensures accurate passenger details (name, age, gender, berth preference)
• ✅ Makes the process faster and error-free
• ✅ Can be used for up to 6 passengers in one form

For Tatkal tickets especially, filling in advance is a lifesaver. Since Tatkal seats sell out in minutes, even a few seconds matter.

Important Note for booking Reservation via Counter Ticket 

• Maximum permissible passengers in 6. 
• The maximum number of passengers that can include in one reservation is 6. For example, If you want to book 10 passengers then required 2 Reservations for,. 
• One Person can give one requisition form at a time. 
• Pregnant women can get a lower berth reserved for themselves on a first cum-first basis against the senior citizen quota.

Download Railway Counter Ticket Tatkal Booking Form PDF

If you are booking Tatkal tickets, use this specific form to avoid delays.

Important Note: For Tatkal, only one form should be submitted per passenger or group. Keep your ID proof ready (Aadhaar, Passport, Driving Licence, PAN Card, etc.).

How to Fill the Railway Counter Ticket Reservation Form – Step by Step

Here’s a simple guide to avoid common mistakes:

1. Train Details
   • Train Number & Name (e.g., 12623 – Chennai–Trivandrum Mail)
   • Class of Travel (SL, 3A, 2A, 1A, CC, etc.)
   • Date of Journey
2. Boarding & Destination
   • Boarding Station (where you will board)
   • Destination Station
3. Passenger Details (up to 6 per form)
   • Name (as per ID for Tatkal)
   • Age (exact, not approximate)
   • Gender (M/F/T)
   • Berth Preference (Lower/Upper/Middle/Side)
4. Contact Information
   • Mobile number (for SMS alerts & e-ticket reference)
5. ID Proof (for Tatkal)
   • Mention ID type & number of one passenger (others in group need not show at booking but must carry ID while travelling).
6. Signature
   • The person submitting must sign the form.

Tatkal Ticket Booking Rules (Must Know)

Tatkal is one of the most demanded booking systems in Indian Railways. Here are the key rules:

• ⏰ Timing:
  • AC classes (1A/2A/3A/CC): Booking opens at 10 AM one day before travel.
  • Sleeper Class (SL): Booking opens at 11 AM one day before travel.
• 🎟️ Quota: Limited seats are available. First come, first serve.
• 💰 Charges: Additional Tatkal charges apply (₹100–₹500 depending on class).
• 🧾 ID Proof: Mandatory at the time of booking and travel.
• 👥 Max Passengers: Only 4 passengers per PNR allowed under Tatkal.
• 🔄 Refunds: No refund for confirmed Tatkal tickets if cancelled.

Pro Tip: Fill the Tatkal form at home, keep ID proof handy, and reach the counter 30–40 minutes early.

Real Example – My Tatkal Booking Experience

Last year, I had to travel from Ernakulam to Chennai for urgent work. It was peak holiday season. I knew Tatkal would be tough, so I:

• Printed the Tatkal Booking Form PDF the previous night
• Filled all details neatly, including Aadhaar number
• Reached the counter by 9:30 AM and stood in Tatkal queue
• Handed over the filled form the moment my turn came

Guess what? I got a 3A confirmed Tatkal ticket while many others behind me didn’t. The only difference – my form was ready.

Benefits of Using Downloadable Railway Counter Ticket Reservation Forms

• 🕒 Save time at the counter
• ✅ Avoid mistakes under pressure
• 📑 Keep a record of booking request
• 🧾 Helps Tatkal success (speed advantage)
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Book for family in one go

FAQ

Carrying a Railway Counter Ticket Reservation Form PDF or Tatkal Booking Form PDF filled in advance can be the difference between a confirmed seat and waiting list. As someone who has travelled across India by train, I can tell you: this simple habit saves time, stress, and increases your success in Tatkal queues.

Difference between Railway Counter Ticket and Online Tickets

While traveling on Indian Railways, there is an option to book tickets online. This ticket can be in e-ticket or i-ticket format. The difference between the two is how the passenger gets the ticket. An e-ticket is an electronic ticket that passengers can book and print at their convenience. I-Ticket must be booked two days before the day of travel. This ticket is then couriered by the Railways to the address provided by the passenger. Someone must be at home to receive tickets; Otherwise, it will delay the process.

While using an e-ticket, the person traveling must also carry an identity document to prove that he is the same person who booked the ticket. Since most people usually carry an identification document such as a passport or driver’s license when they travel; It’s not that difficult. Also, an e-ticket is slightly cheaper than an i-ticket because the i-ticket is added to the delivery charge to cover the cost of the courier. Also, the cancellation process for an e-ticket and an i-ticket is different, the e-ticket is easier to cancel.

Reservation Rules 

IMPORTANT – FOR SENIOR CITIZENS : 

 From 1st September 2001 onwards, a concession to senior citizens through PRS (Passenger Reservation System) shall be granted only on demand and not by default as at present. The demand for concession shall be made on the Reservation Requisition form in the case of reserved tickets. In the case of tickets issued to senior citizens on concession, during the journey the concerned passengers are instructed to carry some documentary proof showing their age or date of birth, issued by any Government Institution/Agency/Local Body. like Identity cards, Driving Licenses, Passports, Educational certificates, certificates from Local Bodies like Panchayat/Corporation/Municipality, or any other authentic and recognized document. This documentary proof of age should be produced if demanded by some Railway official during the journey. 

TRANSFER / RESALE OF TICKETS PROHIBITED : 

 Under Section 142 of the Railways ACT, journey tickets including any half of a return ticket and season ticket are not transferable. If any person not being a Railway Servant or an agent authorised on this behalf : 

a. sells or attempts to sell any ticket or any half of a return ticket, or b. parts or attempts to part with the possession of a ticket against which reservation of a seat or a berth has been made or any half of a return ticket or season ticket. He shall be punishable under the Railways Act.

 In addition, if the purchaser or holder of the transferred ticket travels or attempts to travel therewith, he shall forfeit the ticket that he so purchased or obtained and shall be deemed to be travelling without a proper ticket.

INDICATION OF BERTH/SEAT NUMBERS : 

 Passengers with confirmed reservations will be allotted berths at the time of booking and the coach and berth numbers are indicated on the ticket itself, except in the case of first-class ACC and first-class coaches. The compartment/cabin/coupe numbers for first ACC and first class are allotted at the time of chart preparation. 

RESERVATION AGAINST CANCELLATION (R.A.C.) : 

 The passengers whose names figure under R.A.C., are provided reserved sitting accommodation initially and are likely to get berths becoming vacant due to last minutes cancellations of reservations of passengers not turning up in time before the departure of the train,. 

WHEN RESERVATION WORK CEASES : 

 The requests for reservation at the reservation counters are accepted up to 4 hours before the scheduled departure of the train, after which, the reservation will be done at the current counters at the stations up to one hour before the scheduled departure of the train and thereafter by the Ticket Collector/Conductor on the platform if vacant berths/seats are available. 

RESERVATION FROM INTERMEDIATE STATIONS : 

(a) Requisition for reservation of berths in all classes from intermediate stations not having computerized reservation facility are entertained on purchase of journey tickets only. 

Such requisition should be given to the Station Master of the Intermediate station 72 hours before the scheduled departure of the train from the station. Such application shall be sent to the nearest computerized reservation office at the earliest. 

CANCELLATION OF RESERVATION DUE TO LATE ARRIVAL OF PASSENGER : 

 If a passenger, for whom a berth or seat has been reserved, does not turn up 10 minutes before the scheduled departure of the train, the Railway Administration may cancel the accommodation reserved for him and allow it to the passenger on the RAC list/Waiting list accordingly on priority. 

CHANGE OF BOARDING POINT : 

 If a passenger desires to occupy reserved accommodation from any station en route, he would be permitted to entrain at any intermediate station he chooses irrespective of the distance from the starting station subject to the following conditions : 

1. A specific request must be made in writing at the station from where the ticket is purchased and a reservation made at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure of the train from the starting station. 

2. The Railway Administration reserves the right to use such accommodation from the originating station up to the station at which the passenger is due to entrain. 

3. No refund will be permissible for the portion of the journey not performed by the passenger.