Understand RAC, GNWL, PQWL, RLWL and TQWL In Indian Railways

It is always a confusing task to understand the train ticket status. To book a train ticket is quite easy, but to know or decode the ticket status is generally confusing. Attempting to construe the difficult code, such as  RAC, GNWL, PQWL, RLWL, or TQWL, in Indian Railways. The fact is that Indian Railways is considered the fourth-largest national railway system in the world in terms of size. The total length of the route is over 42,000 miles, and Indian Railways runs more than 13.000 passengers train hauls daily. It covers more than 7000 stations across India.

So after the train ticket booking, there is a greater chance that your ticket will be in waiting list. This blog gives you the proper insight into the ticket information and how you will book your food during the train journey. 

Passengers panic when they see the “WL” after their name, and they become skeptical after watching this:

• Will my ticket confirm?
• Can I board the train?
• Should I cancel and rebook?
• Which waitlist has better confirmation chances?

The reservation system is extensive and super organised. If you decode or decipher the proper types of waiting lists, you will book the ticket in a smarter way, which will lead to a smooth train journey. Just understand the RAC, GNWL, PQWL, RLWL, and TQWL most easily.

How to Check PNR Status Using the RailRestro

You can easily check PNR Status online with the help of the fast and efficient RailRestro platform. RailRestro is available on its website, as well as a dedicated train app available on Android and iOS.

1. Go to RailRestro.com or install the application.
2. From the Rail Tools drop-down button, select PNR Status.
3. Enter your 10-digit PNR Number.
4. Click on Check Status.

What is a PNR and Why Should You Check It?

PNR Stands for Passenger Name Record. PNR Number is a unique 10-digit number provided to every booking with the Indian Railways. With this number, you get information related to passenger details, train details, and the ability to check PNR Status online.

When we check PNR Status online, we are provided with a number of PNR Status options, such as:

• Confirmed (CNF)
• Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC)
• Waiting List (WL), etc.

If you get a Waiting List, it is advisable to check PNR Status online again and again to see if there are any developments in the booking. After a few days, you check the PNR status, and there is no such development in the waiting list, so this is the crucial time to look for an alternative.

Understanding the Basics: What is Waitlist in Indian Railways?

When all confirmed seats in a train are booked, Indian Railways starts issuing tickets under different waitlist categories. These categories depend on:

• Your boarding station
• Destination station
• Booking quota
• Route demand
• Distance of travel

Each type of waitlist follows a different priority rule for confirmation. Let’s decode them one by one.

Get trained in how to use Traveler food for Food Delivery

Train food delivery app lets you order meals from your favorite restaurant and get it delivered right to your seat. Even helps with food delivery at the railway station as well. 

Just follow these steps:
Go to the Traveler Food website.
Enter your PNR number to check your journey details.
Browse the food items available at your station.
Choose your preferred meal, such as vegetarian, non-vegetarian, thali, or snacks.
Make the payment online or opt for cash on delivery.
Your food will be delivered directly to your seat.

RailRestro food delivery app also delivers food at Railway stations. 

All the vendors of RailRestro also deliver Train food at railway stations. This app serves the food in 500+ Railway stations such as Itarsi, Surat, Vijayawada, Bhopal Junction, DDU, Prayagraj, and more.

The Benefits of Train Food Delivery Systems

Earlier, it was a task to travel by train, and with family and friends, are make it more challenging. Now you can see the difference and the benefits of food delivery during train travel. Check the Live running statusbefore ordering the food in train. 

Comfort: Enjoy Yummy meals delivered directly to your seat.
Quality: Hygienic food prepared by FSSAI-certified restaurants.
Convenience: No need to carry home food during a train journey.
Timeliness: Your order reaches the selected station before you arrive.

1. RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation)

What is RAC?

RAC stands for Reservation Against Cancellation. If you get an RAC ticket, it means:

• You are allowed to board the train.
• You are guaranteed a seat.
• However, you may not get a full berth initially.
• A single seat will be shared by two people.

In RAC, two passengers share one lower berth. If someone with a confirmed ticket cancels, RAC passengers are upgraded to full berths. Before boarding, check the Train schedule for hassle free journey.

How RAC Works

1. Confirmed tickets fill first.
2. RAC tickets are issued next.
3. After RAC is full, Waitlist tickets begin.

If cancellations happen:

• RAC converts into Confirmed.
• Waitlist converts into RAC.
• Then waitlist slowly moves toward confirmation.

RAC Confirmation Chances

RAC has very high confirmation chances, especially in:

• Popular routes
• Long-distance trains
• Peak seasons with cancellations
  Since RAC is already partially confirmed, it is much safer than WL.

Can You Travel with RAC?

Yes. You can:

• Board the train
• Travel legally
• Sit comfortably
  In that case, you need to share the berth with those who also have a ticket in RAC. If your ticket is not confirmed. In this waiting list you can order and relish food in train. 

2. GNWL (General Waiting List)

What is GNWL?

GNWL stands for General Waiting List. This is the most common and highest-priority waiting list. It is one of the categories of the waiting list that is assigned to passengers when they start their train journey at the originating station. With this waiting list, passengers have been given priority, and in case of RAC tickets get cancelled and GNWL will get confirm ticket. This type of waiting list or PNR status has the maximum chance of getting confirmed.

• You book from the train’s originating station.
• Or from a major station near the starting point.

Example:
If a train starts from Delhi and you book Bhopal to New Delhi, you’ll likely get GNWL.

Why GNWL Has High Confirmation Chances

GNWL has the highest confirmation probability because:

• Most cancellations happen in this quota.
• It covers the longest route passengers.
• It is the primary booking quota.
  When confirmed tickets are cancelled, GNWL gets priority over other waitlists.

GNWL Confirmation Chances are high when your waiting list is below 50, and make sure to book your ticket in advance, especially during the peak season. If you see GNWL 10 or 20, your chances are strong.

3. PQWL (Pooled Quota Waiting List)

What is PQWL?

Must you not have encountered the PQWL while booking IRCTC tickets? This WL is specifically for several small stations, which shows you can travel from one station to another instead of covering the entire route. For that, you need to decipher that the POWL is given less priority in comparison to GNWL or TQWL.

PQWL stands for Pooled Quota Waiting List.

• Your journey is between intermediate stations.
• Your boarding and destination are not the train’s originating or terminating stations.
• Indian Railways pools several smaller stations into one quota. That’s why it’s called “Pooled Quota.”
  
  
  How PQWL Works

Example:

Train route:
Delhi → Agra → Bhopal → Nagpur → Chennai

If you book:
Delhi to Nagpur

You may fall under PQWL.

This quota has:

• Limited seats
• Limited cancellations

PQWL Confirmation Chances- 

Not a low chance to get the ticket confirmed; it has a moderate chance, and you might get your ticket confirmed. PQWL generally confirms slower than GNWL but faster than RLWL in many cases.

• Passenger movement between those intermediate stations
• Cancellation within that pooled section

4. RLWL (Remote Location Waiting List)

What is RLWL?

RLWL stands for Remote Location Waiting List. This waiting list is allocated when passengers book their ticket between the source and destination stations. Also in crucial halt en route to a certain train. The tickets come under RLWL status, get confirmed only when they are booked from the source destination, and get canceled when passengers board the train from the origin station. But the chance of getting confirmed RLWL is low. RLWL is only applicable when:

• You book from a remote or smaller station.
• That station has its own separate quota.

Certain important intermediate stations are assigned specific quotas. If seats under that quota are filled, RLWL is issued.

How RLWL Works

Each remote station has:

• Limited seat allocation
• Independent cancellation system
• If cancellations happen at that specific station quota, RLWL moves.

RLWL Confirmation Chances- The chances of geting confirm tickets are quite lower than GNWL and POWL because:

• Quota is small.
• Cancellations are fewer.
• Confirmation depends only on that station’s passengers.
• If your RLWL number is high (like 40+), chances may be limited.

5. TQWL (Tatkal Waiting List)

What is TQWL?

TQWL stands for Tatkal Waiting List. Tatkal tickets open one day before travel. Once Tatkal confirmed seats are filled, TQWL is issued. The TQWL is issued when a berth is available for this particular quota are exhausted during the Tatkal booking. The probability of getting confirm ticket in this quota is quite low. After the Tatkal ticket allocation and circulation, the final chart preparation begins, and as per the new rule for train chart preparation, it is prepared 10 hours before. 

In the time of train chart preparation The GNWL status is given priority, which leads to getting the confirmed ticket; if not, then they go for the premium Tatkal. 


Also Read: Indian Railways Train Chart Preparation: Everything Passengers Should Know

Important rule:

TQWL tickets do NOT usually confirm after chart preparation.

If TQWL does not confirm before charting:

• It gets automatically cancelled.
• Refund is processed.
  

Why TQWL Has Low Confirmation Chances

Is small and has fewer cancellations and operates independently from the General quota. TQWL does not get upgraded from GNWL cancellations.

Can You Travel with TQWL?

No. If it remains waitlisted after chart preparation:

• It is automatically cancelled.
• You cannot board the train.

Waitlist Priority Order (Highest to Lowest Confirmation Chances)

Here’s the general priority:

1. RAC
2. GNWL
3. PQWL
4. RLWL
5. TQWL
   What Happens During Chart Preparation?Chart preparation usually happens 10 hours before train departure.

At this stage:

• Confirmed tickets are finalized.
• RAC may convert to confirmed.
• Remaining WL tickets are checked.

Important:

• GNWL, PQWL, and RLWL may confirm.
• TQWL usually gets cancelled if not confirmed.

How to Improve Confirmation Chances

Here are practical strategies:

1. Book Early

The earlier you book, the better your WL position.

2. Prefer GNWL Over Others

If possible, book from:

• Train’s source station
• Or nearest major station

3. Choose Less Busy Dates

Avoid:

• Festivals
• Long weekends
• Summer vacations

4. Check Alternate Trains

Sometimes another train on the same route has better availability.

5. Use Prediction Tools

AI-based PNR prediction tools analyze:

• Historical cancellation trends
• Seasonal patterns
• Train popularity

They can give an estimated confirmation probability.

RAC vs Waitlist: Which is Better?

Always prefer RAC over WL. Why?

• RAC guarantees travel.
• WL does not.
• RAC has upgrade potential.

If you’re choosing between:

• GNWL 20
• RAC 45

RAC is often safer for confirmed travel.

Comparison Table

When Should You Cancel?

Consider cancellation if:

• RLWL number is high and travel date is near.
• TQWL remains waitlisted close to departure.
• Prediction tools show low probability.
• You have urgent travel plans.

Conclusion-

Indian Railways serves millions of passengers daily, and the reservation system is quite confusing, but once you get the idea and understand the logic of the waiting list, everything becomes so smooth. RAC, GNWL, PQWL, RLWL, and TQWL will help to book the train ticket as per your choice and convenience. 

Here’s the golden rule:

• RAC = Safe to Travel
• GNWL = Best Waitlist
• PQWL = Moderate Hope
• RLWL = Limited Movement
• TQWL = Risky Unless Confirmed

Instead of panicking at the sight of “WL,” analyze your quota type. That one detail can completely change your travel outcome. By booking wisely, checking confirmation trends, and understanding quotas, you can truly travel stress-free.