Indian Railways opens Diwali 2026 advance ticket booking on September 4

Indian Railways has officially announced that ticket bookings for travel on November 3, 2026, will open on September 4, 2026, at 8:00 AM IST. This crucial date falls five days before Diwali, which is observed on November 8, 2026, marking a peak travel period expected to see unprecedented rush across the national network. Passengers planning to travel during this festive window must prepare their details in advance. Here are the key details you need to know for booking your Diwali journey: Ticket bookings for November 3 open on September 4 at 8:00 AM. The advance reservation period follows the 60-day rule. Aadhaar authentication is mandatory for early booking windows and Tatkal tickets.

Understanding the 60 Day Advance Reservation Period

Under current Indian Railways policy, the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) is set at 60 days, excluding the date of the journey. This 60-day rule was established to replace the previous 120-day window in an effort to reduce high cancellation rates, which were previously recorded at approximately 21 percent. By shortening this window, railway authorities can more accurately assess actual passenger demand and plan additional special festival services more effectively.

Important IRCTC Login and Aadhaar Rules

Travelers should be aware of mandatory authentication requirements for online bookings. As per the current regulations, only users who have completed Aadhaar authentication can access the IRCTC platform during the first 15 minutes of the daily general reserved booking window. Furthermore, Aadhaar-based OTP verification remains a strict requirement for all Tatkal ticket reservations. To maximize the likelihood of success during the heavy festive rush, officials strongly recommend that passengers log into the IRCTC system by 7:45 AM on September 4 to ensure complete readiness right when bookings open at 8:00 AM.