What is TQWL in Indian Railways? Meaning, Confirmation Chances & Refund Rules
Booked tatkal ticket on the Indian railways website and notice the status of your ticket as TQWL, you may think what it means and whether you can travel or not. First understand what TQWL means before planning a journey.
In this guide, you came to know about TQWL, how it works, confirmation chances and what happens if ticket remains in waitlist.
What is TQWL?
TQWL stands for Tatkal Quota Waiting List. It is a waiting list issued by Indian railways when all available seats under Tatkal quota have been booked and additional passengers are placed on a waiting list. Tatkal ticket are designed for a last-minute ticket booking and booking opens one day before the train's departure. For example:
- TQWL 5 means you are a 5th passenger on the tatkal waiting list
How does TQWL work?
When in booking ticket in Tatkal Quota all seats has been booked:
- Tatkal bookings are assigned with a TQWL number.
- If a confirmed ticket passenger cancels their ticket, the waiting list will decreases to lower number.
- Passengers with a lower TQWL number get priority for confirmation.
The waiting list status may change over time as cancellation occur.
Difference between TWQL and General Waiting List (GNWL)
| Feature | TQWL | GNWL |
|---|---|---|
| Full Form | Tatkal Quota Waiting List | General Waiting List |
| Booking Type | Tatkal Booking | Regular Booking |
| Confirmation Chances | Usually Lower | Generally Higher |
| Priority | After Tatkal cancellations | Based on station quota and cancellations |
| Automatic Refund | Yes, if not confirmed | Yes, under railway rules |
Will TQWL Tickets get confirmed?
TQWL tickets can get confirmed, but chances depends on different factors:
- Train route popularity.
- Season and demand.
- Number of Tatkal cancellations.
- Waiting List position.
What happens if TQWL Remains Waitlisted?
For e-tickets that is booked through IRCTC website:
- If the ticket remains in TQWL status after chart preparation, it will automatically cancelled.
- Passengers are not allowed to travel on a fully waitlisted e-ticket.
- Refund is processed automatically as per railway rules.
- If person cancelled a confirmed tatkal ticket he/she will not get any refund.
- If some of the passenger on ticket are confirmed while other are on waitlisted, person can cancel entire ticket before preparation of chart and a full refund for waitlisted passengers, but cancellation charges will be apply.
But on some cases a person can get full refund on confirmed tatkal tickets
- The train is delayed by more than 3 hours at originating station.
- Person downgraded to lower case and refuse to travel.
How to check Tatkal ticket waiting list
- Website: Go to official IRCTC website and enter pnr number.
- SMS: TYPE PNR <10-digit pnr number> and send it to 139.
- Phone: Call 139 from registered mobile number and follow IVR instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Conclusion:
TQWL (Tatkal Quota Waiting List) is assigned when available tatkal seats are sold out and passengers are placed on waiting list. While some tatkal tickets get confirmed when some person cancels their tatkal ticket but the confirmation changes are lower as compare to General Waiting List (GNWL) tickets. Travelers should always monitor their PNR status and consider alternative travel options if their TQWL number is high.