Daily Current Affairs : 22-October-2024

Indian Railways has recently announced a significant change in the way train tickets are booked. Starting from November 1, 2024, the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) for train tickets will be reduced from 120 days to just 60 days. This decision marks a major shift in the railway booking system, which has evolved over several decades.

What is the Advance Reservation Period (ARP)?

The ARP refers to the time frame during which passengers can book their train tickets in advance. Over the years, this window has been adjusted several times:

  • 1981-1985: The ARP was set to 90 days.
  • 1988-1993: It was reduced to 45 days.
  • 1995-2008: The ARP was 60 days before being extended to 120 days in 2008.
  • 2024 (from November): The ARP will now be reduced to 60 days again.

Why is the ARP Being Shortened?

Several key reasons have been given for this decision:

  • High cancellation rates: Around 21% of tickets are cancelled, leading to wasted seats.
  • Fraudulent practices: With longer booking windows, touts and fraudsters have more time to manipulate the system, such as impersonating passengers and booking multiple tickets.
  • Inefficient booking: Statistics show that 88-90% of reservations are made within 60 days, making the longer ARP unnecessary.
  • Fraud prevention: A shorter ARP will make it harder for touts to block large numbers of tickets and create fake bookings.

Exemptions to the New Rule

While the new ARP will apply to most passengers, there are a few special exemptions:

  • Foreign tourists: They can continue to book tickets up to 365 days in advance, as they require more time for planning long-distance travels.
  • Certain trains: Trains like the Taj Express, which are typically booked close to departure, are exempt from this rule.
  • General class tickets: These are usually bought on the day of travel and will not be impacted by the ARP change.

Important Points:

  • New ARP Rule: Starting November 1, 2024, Indian Railways will reduce the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) from 120 days to 60 days.
  • History of ARP:
    • 1981-1985: ARP was 90 days.
    • 1988-1993: ARP reduced to 45 days.
    • 1995-2008: ARP set at 60 days.
    • 2008-2024: ARP extended to 120 days.
  • Reasons for Shortening ARP:
    • High cancellation rates: Around 21% of tickets are cancelled, causing unused seats.
    • Fraud and manipulation: Longer ARP allowed touts and fraudsters to block tickets or impersonate passengers.
    • Booking trends: 88-90% of reservations happen within 60 days, making the longer ARP unnecessary.
    • Fraud prevention: Shortening ARP limits fraud by reducing opportunities for illegal ticket allotments.
  • Exemptions:
    • Foreign tourists: Can book tickets up to 365 days in advance.
    • Certain trains (e.g., Taj Express): Exempt from the ARP changes as tickets are usually booked close to departure.
    • General class tickets: Not affected, as these are bought just before travel.
  • Overall Impact: The shorter ARP aims to make the booking system more efficient, reduce fraud, and ensure better seat availability for genuine passengers.

Why In News

The Indian Railways has decided to shorten the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) for booking train tickets from 120 days to 60 days, aiming to make the booking process more efficient and reduce instances of fraud and seat wastage.

MCQs about Advance Reservation Period (ARP)

  1. What is the new Advance Reservation Period (ARP) for train tickets in India, effective from November 1, 2024?
    A. 30 days
    B. 60 days
    C. 90 days
    D. 120 days
    Correct Answer: B. 60 days
    Explanation: Starting from November 1, 2024, the ARP for booking train tickets in India will be reduced from 120 days to 60 days, as announced by Indian Railways.
  2. Which of the following is NOT a reason for reducing the ARP for train tickets?
    A. High cancellation rates leading to wasted seats
    B. Fraudulent practices such as touts manipulating the system
    C. Statistics showing that most reservations are made within 60 days
    D. Increased demand for longer ARP to allow more advanced planning
    Correct Answer: D. Increased demand for longer ARP to allow more advanced planning
    Explanation: The decision to reduce the ARP is based on high cancellation rates, fraudulent practices, and the fact that most bookings are made within 60 days. There is no mention of increased demand for a longer ARP.
  3. Which category of passengers will continue to enjoy a longer booking window of up to 365 days under the new ARP policy?
    A. Senior citizens
    B. Foreign tourists
    C. Students
    D. Military personnel
    Correct Answer: B. Foreign tourists
    Explanation: Foreign tourists are exempt from the new ARP and can continue to book train tickets up to 365 days in advance, as they need more time for planning long-distance travel.
  4. What is the reason for including certain trains, like the Taj Express, as exemptions from the new ARP rule?
    A. These trains are frequently overbooked
    B. These trains are typically booked close to departure
    C. These trains only serve high-demand routes
    D. These trains are operated by private companies
    Correct Answer: B. These trains are typically booked close to departure
    Explanation: Certain trains, such as the Taj Express, are exempt because they are usually booked close to departure, so a longer ARP would not be needed for these services.

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