New Delhi: The Indian Railways has issued a fresh directive mandating that Emergency Quota (EQ) ticket requests must be submitted at least 24 hours before the train’s scheduled departure.
This policy change follows the recent update in which reservation charts are now finalized eight hours before train departure—leaving no room for same-day EQ requests.
The Railway Ministry has made it clear that EQ applications received on the day of travel will be outrightly rejected. For trains operating on Sundays and public holidays, applications must be submitted on the preceding working day.
The new circular stresses the need for a systematic and timely EQ ticket allocation process and reiterates that strict adherence to existing guidelines is essential. Forwarding authorities have been directed to thoroughly verify the identity and eligibility of applicants before referring EQ requests.
Emergency Quota tickets are typically reserved for VIPs, senior government officials, railway personnel, and key government departments, ensuring that urgent travel needs are met under exceptional circumstances.
