Dec 22 Travel: Indian Railways Announces Booking Schedule
Indian Railways has officially released the reservation schedule for passengers planning to travel on December 22, 2026. In accordance with the revised 60-day Advance Reservation Period (ARP) guidelines, the booking window for this date will open on October 23, 2026, at 8:00 AM IST.
How to Book and the Aadhaar Requirement
Travelers can secure their seats through several official channels, including the IRCTC website, the mobile application, or by visiting physical railway reservation counters. However, there is a critical security measure in place for the initial phase of the booking process.
To manage the high volume of requests, the first 15 minutes of the booking window will be restricted exclusively to IRCTC accounts that have completed Aadhaar authentication. Passengers are encouraged to ensure their accounts are verified before the window opens to avoid missing out.
Managing the December Holiday Rush
As December coincides with Christmas, New Year, and various end-of-year holidays, it is considered an ultra-peak travel season. High demand is expected on routes heading toward major tourist hubs such as Goa, Shimla, Manali, and Darjeeling.
For those unable to secure seats during the regular reservation period, Tatkal bookings for December 22 travel will commence on December 21, 2026. The timings are as follows:
- AC Class: 10:00 AM
- Sleeper, First Class, and Second Sitting: 11:00 AM
Other Important Railway Updates
In addition to the booking schedule, the following operational updates have been announced:
- Intensified Ticket Checking: Central Railway is conducting a special drive from October 1 through October 31, 2026, to verify travel documentation and ensure quota eligibility.
- Insurance for Counter Tickets: Following a Supreme Court mandate, insurance coverage will be extended to counter-booked tickets effective October 27, 2026, bringing them in line with the protections provided for online bookings.