PNR number is a crucial part of your train journey. Once you book a train ticket, you will see its status as CNF, WL, or RAC. These determine the position and help you understand the confirmation chances of the ticket.
Your PNR number lets you check whether your train ticket is confirmed, track a waitlisted ticket, and find out your coach and berth details on the day of your journey. It's generated automatically by IRCTC the moment you book a train ticket.
PNR stands for Passenger Name Record, a unique 10-digit number generated automatically by IRCTC when your train ticket booking is done. It's stored in the centralised database of Indian Railways, maintained by the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS), and holds all your journey details, such as current booking status, number of passengers, berth, and ticket details.
Every train has a fixed number of seats. Once these seats are booked, new tickets are issued as Waiting List (WL) tickets, based on when they were booked. When confirmed passengers cancel, seats open up, and WL tickets automatically move up the queue. Your PNR status shows exactly where your ticket stands in this process and whether it's likely to be confirmed before departure.
You can find your PNR number on the top-left corner of a printed ticket or an e-ticket. Below are some quick facts about PNR status that every passenger must be familiar with.
PNR status check can be done very quickly using the following methods.
Download the redRail app on your smartphone.
Select “PNR Status” on the home screen.
Enter a 10-digit PNR number and then click on the “Check Status” button.
PNR status details will appear on the screen.
Visit the redRail homepage
Click on the PNR Status and enter a 10-digit PNR number.
Click on the “Check Status” button.
The PNR status will be displayed on the screen.
Now you can inquire about your PNR status via WhatsApp on redRail via WhatsApp.
Send a "Hi" to the Railbot number +91 8050139139 to activate it.
Next, enter your PNR number to check the status of your train ticket or to get your berth details for a confirmed ticket.
Additionally, you can also check your Train Coach Position and Train Schedule through the redRail's WhatsApp chatbot.
CRIS (Centre for Railway Information Systems) maintains a database that stores all train ticket data, including PNR numbers. When a passenger performs a PNR status check for a railway ticket, the enquiry retrieves their status and related journey details from this database. The 10-digit PNR Number is at the top of the ticket and is essential for checking the PNR status on redRail.
Several factors influence PNR confirmation probability, such as last-minute train bookings, increased demand for popular trains or routes and other factors. The IRCTC PNR Prediction gives you a fair estimate of your ticket confirmation chances, adding another layer of convenience for all passengers.
Note that you can check PNR status on redRail, even if your ticket was booked on another platform. Additionally, redRail offers a user-friendly interface for PNR enquiry, ensuring an easy and hassle-free process.
| Abbreviation | Description |
|---|---|
| CAN / MOD | Cancelled or Modified Passenger |
| CNF / Confirmed | Confirmed (Coach/Berth number will be available after chart preparation) |
| RAC | Reservation Against Cancellation |
| WL # | Waiting List Number |
| RLWL | Remote Location Wait List |
| GNWL | General Wait List |
| PQWL | Pooled Quota Wait List |
| REGRET/WL | No More Booking Permitted |
| R# # | RAC Coach Number Berth Number |
| RQWL | Roadside Quota Waitlist |
| DPWL | Duty Pass Waitlist |
| TQWL | Tatkal Quota Waitlist |
If your ticket is still on the waitlist, here's how to plan smarter and avoid last-minute stress:
Track your status regularly: PNR status updates in real time as cancellations occur, so checking periodically, especially closer to your travel date, keeps you informed of any changes.
Wait for the chart preparation: The First Reservation Chart is released 8 hrs prior to the train's departure. This is when a large share of waitlisted tickets get confirmed, as no-shows and cancellations are accounted for.
Check alternate trains: Look up other trains on the same route with better seat availability, in case your current booking doesn't confirm in time.
If your waitlist number is high and not moving, you can always book an Alternate Trip with redRail.
PNR status gives you a quick way to verify your ticket's confirmation,seat availability, and booking details — all in one place, so you can plan your trip with confidence.
Once your train ticket is confirmed, it is important to check the live train running status on the date of your departure to ensure you reach the boarding point on time.
As an authorised partner of IRCTC, redRail provides you with accurate information. redRail by redBus PNR Status check offers the following features for passengers.
You can check your PNR status on the redRail website or redRail app. To get regular updates on WhatsApp, you can also subscribe to redRail chatbot at +91 8050139139.
Upon booking a ticket, you will receive the PNR number instantly. You can check your PNR status every day until the final chart preparation is completed, 8 hours before the train's departure from the starting station.
The real-time PNR status tells you whether your ticket is booked. On redRail, you can also track the live train running status, as well as the coach position of your train.
You can visit the redRail app and enter your 10 digit PNR number printed on your ticket and click on the “check PNR status” button.
RAC refers to Reservation Against cancellation. This indicates that your reservation is confirmed, allowing you to board the train. However, the berth would be shared between passengers. In case the confirmed passenger is not on the train, the whole berth would be given to the RAC passenger.
Due to the significant demand for railways, the IRCTC PNR train status is updated by the minute. Availability of seats/ berths is largely dependent on cancellations, and thus the status gets updated every minute.
If your ticket is confirmed, then your PNR is enough for you to travel. Make sure to carry an authorized ID proof to be produced at the time of ticket checking.
No, the PNR number is provided to only reserved tickets.
The waitlisted tickets will get confirmed if the passenger cancels their confirmed tickets.
No, you cannot check the PNR status with name. You must enter the 10-digit PNR number on the IRCTC official website or redRail, an IRCTC authorized train ticket booking platform to check the PNR status.
You can check PNR status on the IRCTC official website or on IRCTC-authorized train ticket booking platforms, like redRail by redBus.
