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If we miss booking the ticket in IRCTC, then we go for a tatkal option. While booking tatkal tickets, we come to know that there is another option name premium tatkal ticket.

Now you will get a doubt that what is the difference between tatkal and premium tatkal? Here I can clear your doubt.

What is Tatkal ticket in IRCTC?

The Tatkal Scheme is a ticketing plan built by Indian Railways. The system is applied for booking trips at pretty short duration. IRCTC makes it simple to reserved classes at around all trains in India. This booking can be arranged both by online and offline.

This tatkal ticket always opened at 10 AM for AC class & 11 AM for sleeper and seater classes every day and you can book your ticket before 1 day of train departure. I can explain you with an example,

if you require traveling on April 3rd by train then you should reserve this quota(tatkal) ticket on April 2nd from 10 AM for AC coaches and 11 AM for sleeper coaches category.

The website for IRCTC tatkal ticket booking is as follows.

https://www.irctc.co.in/eticketing/home

To select tatkal option choose radio button option in tatkal.

Those tatkal tickets are allowed you to have reserved ticket, waiting list, and Reservation Against Cancellation tickets ( it does not guarantee a berth).

So that waiting and RAC are not confirmed tickets evermore. If you see that ticket status is not confirmed and still under waiting list even later chart preparation then your ticket will be canceled and ticket funds will be repaid to you (except service charge).

Tatkal fare structure:

Tatkal Ticket Fare= Basic ticket Fare + Tatkal Charges

What is Premium Tatkal ticket in IRCTC?

The ticket fare of Premium tatkal is high compared to the tatkal ticket.

Agents are not allowed to book in this quota. Even though these tickets are costlier this is so serviceable for passengers who want to journeys on pretty short notice.The timing of premium tatkal opening time is same as tatkal timing.But this ticket is allowed to book only for available tickets not with waiting or RAC.

Premium Tatkal Ticket Fare structure:

Premium Tatkal Ticket=Ticket Base Fare + Changeable Tatkal Charges (10 to 30% of base Fare) 

The Premium tatkal ticket charge explanation. The basic train fare added to the Tatkal charges( but this tatkal charge which differs from 10 percent to 30 percent depending on the demand of the ticket). The highest fee is up to 30 percent of the base fare.

Highlights of Premium tatkal ticket:

• The ticket fee will not be repaid to passengers who cancel the confirmed tickets.
• There is no charge permit for child passengers(under 5 years) tickets.
• Agents will not able to book the ticket here.
• Government ID card like voterID or pan card is necessary during journey time.
• It can be booked via online only.
• Waiting List and RAC tickets are not booked by this quota.
• Ticket fare vary based season and demand.

Let see the difference chart below to understand easier:

Tatkal	Premium Tatkal
Opened one day before	Opened one day before
Fare: Tatkal Ticket Fare= Basic ticket Fare + Tatkal Charges	Fare: Premium Tatkal Ticket=Ticket Base Fare + Changeable Tatkal Charges (10 to 30% of base Fare)
Amount can be refundable for waiting list and RAC passenger who not get confirmed until chart preparation	Amount cannot be refundable
Agents allowed here to book tickets	Agents are not allowed to book tickets
ID card needed	ID card needed
No charge for child (under 5 years)	No charge for child (under 5 years)
Booked on online and offline	Booked on online only

Final Words:

I suggest you go with a tatkal ticket for normal days and premium tatkal for occasional days (means any festival time) of ticket booking. If you booked your tickets via online then an SMS will get into your mobile. This SMS alerts enough to produce. No need of Printouts (that may cause waste of papers).

ARTICLES TO READ:

Do you want to book the tatkal ticket faster on time? Here some tips for booking Tatkal ticket on IRCTC website?