PNR Status Check — Indian Railways 2026
Enter your 10-digit PNR to check booking status. We'll direct you to official Indian Railways sources — no account needed, always accurate.
Enter Your PNR Number
0/10 digits • PNR is on your ticket, booking SMS, or IRCTC email
Please enter a valid 10-digit PNR number
What is PNR Status?
PNR (Passenger Name Record) is a unique 10-digit number assigned to every Indian Railways booking. It is the digital identity of your train ticket, containing information about your train, date of journey, class, passenger names, and reservation status.
When you check PNR status, you see whether your ticket is Confirmed (CNF), RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation), or on the Waiting List (WL). The status may change from booking until chart preparation (about 4 hours before departure).
PNR Booking Status Codes
| Code | Full Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
CNF | Confirmed | Seat/berth confirmed. You have a specific coach and berth number. |
RAC | Reservation Against Cancellation | Can board the train. Shares a side-lower berth. May upgrade if others cancel. |
WL | Waiting List | Not confirmed. Cannot board. Auto-cancelled if unconfirmed by chart time. |
GNWL | General Waiting List | WL from originating station. Best confirmation chance. |
RLWL | Remote Location WL | WL for intermediate stations. Smaller quota, lower chance. |
PQWL | Pooled Quota WL | Stations sharing a common quota pool. |
TQWL | Tatkal Quota WL | Tatkal bookings have separate waiting list. |
CAN/MOD | Cancelled/Modified | Booking was cancelled or modified by the passenger. |
5 Ways to Check PNR Status
1. On CRWC (This Website)
Enter your 10-digit PNR in the form above. We validate it and connect you directly to official Indian Railways sources. No account needed.
2. Indian Railways Official Website
Visit indianrail.gov.in → PNR Enquiry → enter your PNR. This is the primary source maintained by CRIS (Centre for Railway Information Systems).
3. IRCTC Website or App
Log into irctc.co.in or the IRCTC Rail Connect app. Go to "My Transactions" to see your booking details including PNR status, coach, and berth number.
4. SMS to 139
Send: PNR <your 10-digit number> to 139. Reply arrives within seconds. Works without internet — great when traveling with poor connectivity.
5. Call 139
Dial 139, follow the IVR menu, select PNR enquiry, and enter your PNR using the dial pad. Available in Hindi and English, 24 hours a day.
Where to Find Your PNR Number
- E-Ticket PDF: Top-left corner of your IRCTC e-ticket, labeled "PNR No."
- Booking SMS: IRCTC sends an SMS immediately after booking with the PNR
- Email Confirmation: Check the IRCTC booking confirmation email subject line
- IRCTC App: Open app → My Transactions → tap any booking
- Counter Ticket: Printed at the top of tickets bought at reservation counters
Understanding Chart Preparation
Chart preparation is the moment Indian Railways finalizes all reservations for a train. It typically happens 4 hours before departure from the originating station. After chart preparation:
- CNF passengers are locked with their final berth numbers
- RAC passengers get sharing berth assignments
- Remaining WL tickets are automatically cancelled and refunded
- A second chart may be prepared 30 minutes before departure for last-minute changes
Tips for Better Confirmation Chances
- Book early — advance booking opens 120 days before the journey. Earlier = lower WL number.
- Book from originating station — GNWL has much better confirmation than RLWL.
- Travel on weekdays — Monday to Thursday trains have more availability.
- Try alternative classes — if 3AC is full, check 2AC or Sleeper (separate quotas).
- Use Vikalp scheme — IRCTC can move you to an alternate train if yours doesn't confirm.
- Check premium trains — Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and Vande Bharat often have last-minute availability.
PNR Status — Frequently Asked Questions
Can I travel with a WL ticket?
No. Waitlisted passengers are not allowed to board reserved coaches. If your ticket is still WL after chart preparation, it will be auto-cancelled with a full refund (minus service charge).
Is RAC a confirmed ticket?
Partially — RAC passengers can board and travel, sharing a side-lower berth with another RAC passenger. The TTE may upgrade you to a full berth during the journey if one becomes available.
What does WL 15/WL 5 mean?
The first number (WL 15) was your position at booking time. The second (WL 5) is your current position — meaning 10 people ahead of you have cancelled. Lower current number = better confirmation chance.
How long is a PNR valid?
A PNR remains active from booking until about 5 days after the journey. After that, it is "flushed" from the live system. Archived data is kept for 9 months.
Is it safe to share my PNR?
Your PNR reveals personal information (name, age, travel route, berth). Don't post it on social media. Share only with trusted people who need to track your journey.
Why does my PNR show "Flushed"?
The journey date has passed and data has been removed from the live system (about 5 days after travel). This is normal.
Can two passengers share one PNR?
Yes — when booked on the same ticket, all passengers share one PNR. A single PNR supports up to 6 passengers (General) or 4 (Tatkal).
Explore More on CRWC
Check train schedules, routes, and station timetables across Indian Railways.