The IRCTC Advance Reservation Period (ARP) refers to the amount of time between the opening date for booking train tickets and the actual departure date of the train. The ARP can vary depending on the class of travel, the type of train, and the distance of the journey.
As per the current rules, the ARP for booking train tickets in Indian Railways is:
120 days in advance for all classes of travel except for AC First Class and Executive Class, which have a shorter ARP of 365 days.
It means that you can book your train ticket up to 120 days prior to the scheduled departure of the train. The booking can be done through the IRCTC website, mobile app, or at the railway station booking counters.
It is important to note that the ARP may be subject to change depending on the policies of Indian Railways, so it is always a good idea to check the official website or with a railway representative for the latest updates.
Here's an example to help you understand the IRCTC Advance Reservation Period (ARP):
Let's say you want to book a train ticket from Delhi to Mumbai for travel on June 1st. The ARP for this journey is 120 days. This means that you can start booking your ticket as early as January 2nd, which is 120 days before the scheduled departure of the train.
If you wait too long to book your ticket, you may find that the seats are already sold out or the fare has increased due to high demand. It is always a good idea to book your ticket as early as possible to ensure availability and to get the best possible fare.
It's important to note that the ARP may be different for different types of trains and classes of travel. For example, if you are booking an AC First Class or Executive Class ticket, the ARP is 365 days, while for some local trains, the ARP may be as low as a few hours before the scheduled departure time. So, it's always a good idea to check the latest ARP for your particular journey to ensure that you can book your ticket in advance.