A Complete Guide on How to Check Your PNR Status
Planning a train journey can be exciting, but the waiting period between booking a ticket and the travel date can be filled with uncertainty. One of the most common questions travelers have is about their ticket confirmation status. This is where the PNR (Passenger Name Record) status comes in.
This guide will walk you through everything we need to know about PNR, what it means, and how we can check its status quickly and easily.
What is a PNR Number?
A PNR is a unique 10-digit number that is generated by the Indian Railways' ticketing system for every booking made. It serves as a booking reference and contains all the details related to your journey, including:
Passenger details (name, age, gender)
Ticket status (confirmed, waitlisted, or RAC)
Train number and name
Date of journey
Source and destination stations
Class of travel (e.g., 2A, 3A, SL)
Fare details
What Do the Different PNR Statuses Mean?
Understanding the different statuses is key to knowing if our journey is on track.
CNF (Confirmed): This is the best-case scenario. It means our seat has been confirmed and a specific coach and berth number has been allocated.
RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation): This status means we have been allotted a seat, but it's a shared one. For example, two RAC passengers may be assigned a single side-lower berth. If any confirmed tickets are canceled, an RAC ticket may get upgraded to a confirmed one.
WL (Waitlisted): This is a waiting list. A ticket with a waitlist status means we do not have a confirmed berth. The ticket will only be confirmed if enough confirmed tickets are canceled. The PNR status will change from WL to RAC or CNF as tickets are canceled.
CAN (Canceled): The ticket has been canceled.
How to Check Our PNR Status
There are several ways to check our PNR status, and all of them are simple and free.
Indian Railways Website: The official IRCTC website and the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) are the most reliable sources. We just need to go to the PNR inquiry section, enter our 10-digit PNR number, and the status will be displayed.
SMS Service: For those without internet access, we can send an SMS to a specific number to get our PNR status. The format is usually "PNR <10-digit PNR number>" to a designated number (this can change, so we should always verify the latest number).
Third-Party Apps and Websites: Numerous travel apps and websites provide a PNR status check feature. These platforms often offer additional features like train schedules and live running status.
Railway Station Enquiry Counter: If we are at a railway station, we can always go to the enquiry counter and provide our PNR number to get the status.
Why is Checking PNR Status Important?
Checking our PNR status is crucial for a few reasons:
Confirmation of Travel: It gives us peace of mind knowing our ticket is confirmed.
Planning Our Journey: If our ticket is still waitlisted, it gives us time to make alternative arrangements.
Knowing Our Berth Number: If the ticket is confirmed, the PNR status will tell us our coach and berth number, which is essential for boarding the train.
We hope this guide helps you to understand and check your PNR status effortlessly. Happy travels!
