How to Book a Seat Even After Chart Preparation – Know the Trick to Secure a Seat in a Running Train

Indian Railways operates thousands of trains across the country every day, with crores of passengers travelling. Despite this, many passengers fail to get confirmed seats. During major festivals like Holi, Diwali, and Chhath Puja, the situation in trains becomes even more challenging. However, did you know that you can secure a confirmed seat on a running train even after the chart is prepared?

Surprisingly, very few people are aware of this feature, so even if a seat is vacant, they may not get a chance to occupy it. Here, we’ll explain how to find an empty seat on a train after the chart is prepared. There are two simple ways to secure an empty seat in a running train. Let’s explore them.

How to Find Vacant Seats After Chart Preparation on IRCTC App and Website

Using the IRCTC App:

1. Open the IRCTC App
   Launch the IRCTC app on your mobile phone and log in with your ID and password.
2. Navigate to ‘Chart Vacancy’
   On the home page, click on ‘Train’ and then tap on ‘Chart Vacancy.’
3. Enter Travel Details
   A new page will open. Enter the train number, date of travel, and station name, then click on ‘Get Train Chart.’
4. Select Your Desired Class
   You will see options for First AC, Second AC, Third AC, Third Economy, and Sleeper Class. Tap on the class where you want to find a vacant seat.
5. View Vacant Seats
   The vacant seat details for the selected class will appear, showing the seat number and the coach information for each vacant seat.

Using the IRCTC Website:

1. Visit the IRCTC Website
   Go to the official IRCTC website: https://www.irctc.co.in/online-charts/.
2. Enter Your Travel Information
   Enter the train number, date of travel, and station name, and click on ‘Get Train Chart.’
3. Select Your Class
   You will see options for First AC, Second AC, Third AC, Third Economy, and Sleeper Class. Select the class for which you want to find a vacant seat.
4. View Vacant Seats
   The available vacant seat details will appear on your screen, showing which seat in which coach is available.

Booking the Seat:

• Once you identify a vacant seat, immediately approach the TTE (Train Ticket Examiner) and book the seat by paying the fare. The TTE will issue a manual ticket for the seat, allowing you to complete your journey.