Advance Reservation Period (ARP) = how early you can book.
Current ARP: 60 days (since November 2024 — was 120 days earlier)
How it works:
- Booking opens at 8:00 AM exactly 60 days before the journey date.
- Earliest possible booking: 60 × 24 hours before train departure.
- Use date calculator on IRCTC to find your booking date.
Exceptions:
- Some special trains: 30 days
- Suburban trains: 1 day
- Tatkal: 1 day before
Why book early:
- Best fare (no dynamic pricing on most classes)
- High GNWL → high confirmation chance
- Choice of berth preferences
Note: Always cross-check the current ARP from IRCTC announcements as it has changed multiple times.