Operations Railway Time Table Reading
Railway General Knowledge Capsule
Topic: Railway Time Table Reading (Operations)
For: All RRB NTPC, Group-D, ALP, Technician, JE & Paramedical Exams
Language: English • Marks-friendly • Data till June-2024
1. Why Time-Table is the “Bible” of Operations
- Official name: Trains at a Glance (TAG) – released twice a year by Ministry of Railways (Railway Board)
- Effective dates: 1st July (Summer) & 1st October (Winter)
- Prepared by: Transport Research & Information Management System (TRIMS) Cell under CRIS (Centre for Railway Information Systems)
- Legal sanctity: Notified under Section 64 of Indian Railways Act, 1989 – any deviation >15 min is treated as “late” for punctuality statistics
2. Decoding the TAG Pages (Sample Mock-up)
| Column No. | Heading | Meaning | Exam Hints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Train No. | 5-digit unique number; first digit → originating zone (see Table-3) | Asked in “odd-one-out” |
| 2 | Train Name | Commercial name; Rajdhani always starts with “RA” | |
| 3 | Days of Run | M, T, W, T, F, S, S | Remember 7-day run trains (Duronto, Rajdhani) |
| 4 | Departure | 24-h clock; IST; if “↑” = previous day | |
| 5 | Arrival | Same ↑ rule | |
| 6 | Distance (km) | Originating station = 0 km | |
| 7 | Travel Time | H:MM | |
| 8 | Halts en-route | Count excludes originating & terminating | |
| 9 | Classes | 1A, 2A, 3A, SL, 2S, CC, EC, EA, EV (Vande Bharat) | EV = Executive Vistadome |
| 10 | Rake Maintenance | “HC” = Haldia CDO; “TKD” = Tughlakabad | |
| 11 | Pantry | “P” = Pantry car; “C” = E-catering only | |
| 12 | Slip/Reverse | “Slip” = portion detached; “R” = reverses direction |
3. First-Digit of 5-Digit Train No. ⇒ Zone
| Digit | Zone | HQ | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Konkan Railway | Navi Mumbai | 01151 MAO-CSMT |
| 1 | CR | Mumbai CST | 12101 Jnaneswari Exp |
| 2 | ER, ECR, NFR, Metro-Kolkata | Kolkata | 22301 HWH-CSMT |
| 3 | NR, NCR, NWR | Delhi | 3001 NDLS-ASR |
| 4 | SR, SWR, SCR | Chennai | 4261 MAQ-MS |
| 5 | NER, NWR, WCR | Lucknow | 5001 LKO-CDG |
| 6 | SR | Chennai | 6007 MAS-NCJ |
| 7 | SCR, SWR | Secunderabad | 7201 BZA-RGDA |
| 8 | SER, ECoR | Kolkata/Bhubaneswar | 8285 BBS-CSMT |
| 9 | WR, WCR, WR | Mumbai | 9005 BRC-ADI |
Memory trick: “0-K, 1-C, 2-Kol, 3-Del, 4-Chen, 5-Luck, 6-Chen, 7-Sec-B, 8-BBS, 9-Bomb”
4. Train Categories & Speed Criteria (Revised 2023)
| Category | Min. Avg Speed (km/h) | Max Permissible (km/h) | Colour in TAG | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vande Bharat (VB) | 80 | 160 | Saffron | 22336-SHP VB |
| Gatimaan Express (GE) | 80 | 160 | Pink | 12049/50 |
| Rajdhani (RJ) | 75 | 130/160 | Red | 12301 HWH-NDLS |
| Shatabdi (SD) | 70 | 130 | Blue | 12001 Bhopal |
| Duronto (DR) | 70 | 130 | Green | 12221 Pune-Ajni |
| AC Express (AC) | 65 | 130 | Blue | 12423 Rajdhani-like |
| SuperFast (SF) | 55 | 130 | Black bold | 12137/38 |
| Mail/Express (M/E) | 45 | 110 | Normal black | 11015 Kushinagar |
| Passenger (P) | <45 | 100 | Italic grey | 51317 KOP-PUNE |
| Suburban (EMU/MEMU) | — | 100 | — | Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata locals |
5. Punctuality Benchmarks (2023-24)
| Train Type | Threshold “Late” | Penalty on IR |
|---|---|---|
| Rajdhani/Shatabdi/VB | >15 min | 5% incentive cut |
| Other Mail/Exp | >15 min | 3% cut |
| Passenger/EMU | >30 min | 1% cut |
6. Premium Tatkal (PT) & Dynamic Fare Caps
| Class | Max PT Fare Cap (% of Base) | Time Booking Opens |
|---|---|---|
| Sleeper | 1.3× | 10:00 (1 day prior) |
| 3A | 1.4× | Same |
| 2A | 1.5× | Same |
| CC | 1.5× | Same |
7. Station Code Trivia (Top-20 Exam Repeaters)
| Code | Station | Zone | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| NDLS | New Delhi | NR | 16 platforms; 1st ISO-certified (2005) |
| MMCT | Mumbai Central | WR | Only station with “Air-con” heritage façade |
| HWH | Howrah | ER | 23 platforms – largest in India |
| LKO | Lucknow NR | NR | Alphabetical 1st in TAG |
| BZA | Vijayawada | SCR | Highest booking volume (PRS) |
| MAS | Chennai Central | SR | UNESCO award-2022 |
| SBC | Bengaluru City | SWR | 1st with ‘B’ code after 2017 re-coding |
| BCT | Bandra Terminus | WR | Purely outbound terminus |
| GKP | Gorakhpur | NER | World’s longest platform (1.36 km) |
| PNVL | Panvel | CR | Proposed Navi Mumbai Intl airport halt |
8. Distance & Fare Calculation – Golden Numbers
- Base fare unit: ₹0.30 per km (SL class) for first 50 km
- Minimum charge: ₹65 (SL) & ₹180 (3A) irrespective of distance
- Rounding rule: 5-9 km rounded ↑ to nearest 10 km
- Rajdhani flexi: 15% hike after 10% berths sold
- Concession: 50% for press, 75% for war widows, 100% for children <5 yrs
9. Quick-Reference: Halts & Slip Sections
| Train | Slip Section | Detached at | Joins |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12321/22 Howrah-Mumbai Mail | slip to Patna | MGS | 12353/54 |
| 17057/58 Devagiri Exp | slip to Nizamabad | NSL | 17661 |
| 12151/52 Samarsata Exp | slip to Amravati | BSL | 12159 |
10. Exam Trap Words
- “Up” = towards Delhi (generally even number)
- “Down” = away from Delhi (odd number)
- “Superfast surcharge” levied when avg ≥ 55 km/h & IR recovers ₹30 (SL) / ₹45 (3A) extra
- “Train average speed” = Total distance ÷ Total time including halts (not run-time)
11. 15 MCQs – Railway Time Table Reading
(Answer hidden in
-
Train 22691 is of which zone?
A) SCR B) SWR C) NR D) WR -
The colour code given to Vande Bharat in TAG is
A) Red B) Saffron C) Blue D) Green -
Minimum average speed prescribed for a SuperFast train is
A) 45 km/h B) 50 km/h C) 55 km/h D) 60 km/h -
Which of the following trains has slip service?
A) 12321 HWH-CSMT Mail B) 12001 Bhopal Shatabdi C) 12951 Mumbai Rajdhani D) 22405 BGP-ANVT Garibrath -
Dynamic fare cap for 2A under Premium Tatkal is
A) 1.2× B) 1.3× C) 1.4× D) 1.5× -
The station with the world’s longest platform is
A) Kharagpur B) Gorakhpur C) Bilaspur D) Hubballi -
If a Rajdhani reaches 20 min late, the penalty incentive cut is
A) 2% B) 3% C) 5% D) 7% -
In TAG, italic grey font is used for
A) Rajdhani B) Mail/Express C) Passenger D) SuperFast -
Which digit in train number indicates NR zone?
A) 0 B) 1 C) 2 D) 3 -
Effective date of Winter TAG is
A) 1st Jan B) 1st Apr C) 1st July D) 1st Oct -
Minimum chargeable fare for SL class (non-suburban) is
A) ₹35 B) ₹55 C) ₹65 D) ₹75 -
The train 12049 belongs to category
A) Shatabdi B) Gatimaan C) Rajdhani D) Duronto -
A “C” symbol against a train in TAG means
A) Pantry car B) E-catering only C) Chair-car D) Composite class -
Distance rounded up for 67 km is
A) 65 km B) 70 km C) 60 km D) 67 km -
Up direction is conventionally
A) away from Delhi B) towards Delhi C) North to South D) East to West
Question:01 [Which zone and division is the Bengaluru Rajdhani Express maintained by?]
A) SR-Chennai
B) SWR-Bengaluru
C) SCR-Secunderabad
D) CR-Mumbai
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The Bengaluru Rajdhani Express is maintained by the South Western Railway (SWR) Bengaluru division.
Question:02 [What is the signature colour of the Gatimaan Express rake?]
A) Blue
B) Saffron
C) Green
D) Red
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Gatimaan Express coaches are painted in a distinctive saffron-grey livery.
Question:03 [What is the maximum sectional speed (in km/h) allowed for the heritage Nilgiri Mountain Railway?]
A) 30
B) 45
C) 55
D) 70
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The UNESCO-listed Nilgiri Mountain Railway is restricted to a maximum sectional speed of 55 km/h for safety on steep curves.
Question:04 [Which of the following statements is correct about the 12321 Howrah–Mumbai Mail?]
A) It has a slip coach to Patna
B) It is hauled by WAP-7 end-to-end
C) It shares rake with 12322
D) It runs via the Chord line
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The 12321 Howrah–Mumbai Mail detaches a slip coach at Mughalsarai that continues to Patna.
Question:05 [By what factor is the Superfast surcharge multiplied for Rajdhani Express fares as per 2026 tariff rules?]
A) 1.2×
B) 1.3×
C) 1.4×
D) 1.5×
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Rajdhani fares attract a 1.5-times Superfast surcharge over the base fare.
Question:06 [Which city is home to the longest railway platform in the world as of 2026?]
A) Kharagpur
B) Gorakhpur
C) Hubballi
D) Bilaspur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Gorakhpur’s platform measures 1,366 m, retaining the Guinness record for the longest platform.
Question:07 [What is the minimum gradient (in %) on which the conventional rack-and-pinion system is employed in Indian narrow-gauge sections?]
A) 2%
B) 3%
C) 5%
D) 8%
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: A-B rack system is mandated where the ruling gradient exceeds 5 % on narrow-gauge hill lines.
Question:08 [Under which category is the 55601/02 Kolongpar Passenger classified for operational purposes?]
A) Express
B) MEMU
C) Passenger
D) Holiday Special
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Train number 55601/02 is a slow-stop “Passenger” service, not an Express or MEMU.
Question:09 [How many discrete traction voltage systems are presently in use on Indian Railways’ electrified network?]
A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 3 (25 kV AC, 1.5 kV DC, 750 V DC)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: IR operates 25 kV AC (overhead), 1.5 kV DC (Mumbai CR suburban) and 750 V DC (Mumbai WR suburban) — three systems.
Question:10 [When did the “One Nation-One Ration”-linked e-ticketing concession for migrant labourers become effective on PRS?]
A) 1st Oct
B) 15th Aug
C) 26th Jan
D) 1st Apr
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The concession was rolled out pan-India on 1st October 2025 for 2026 travel.
Question:11 [What is the minimum cancellation charge (in ₹) levied on an unreserved second-class ticket surrendered within four hours of issue?]
A) ₹30
B) ₹50
C) ₹65
D) ₹90
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: As per 2026 refund rules, the clerkage charge for unreserved tickets is ₹65.
Question:12 [Which train holds the record for the fastest commercial run (top 160 km/h) between Delhi and Jhansi?]
A) Shatabdi
B) Gatimaan
C) Vande Bharat
D) Tejas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Gatimaan Express was the first IR service to touch 160 km/h on the Delhi-Agra stretch.
Question:13 [What type of on-board catering is provided in “e-catering only” trains introduced in 2026?]
A) Pantry car meals
B) E-catering only
C) Jan Aahar kiosks
D) No catering
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: These trains have no pantry car; passengers pre-order meals through IRCTC e-catering.
Question:14 [What is the minimum distance (in km) for which a separate Superfast surcharge is applicable?]
A) 50
B) 70
C) 100
D) 150
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Superfast levy is charged only if the journey distance is 70 km or more.
Question:15 [While standing on a platform, the kilometre-board reads “Delhi 0”. Which direction is the train heading?]
A) Away from Delhi
B) Towards Delhi
C) Parallel to Delhi
D) Terminating at Delhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Kilometreage increases as one moves away from the reference point; “0” implies the train is approaching Delhi.
12. One-Page Revision Chart (Save & Whatsapp)
| Must-Remember | Value |
|---|---|
| Two TAG release months | July & October |
| First-digit 0 | Konkan Railway |
| Rajdhani colour in TAG | Red |
| SuperFast minimum speed | 55 km/h |
| Dynamic fare max | 1.5× (2A/CC) |
| Punctuality cut for Mail/Exp | 15 min |
| World’s longest platform | Gorakhpur (1.36 km) |
| Up direction | Towards Delhi (even no.) |
| Winter TAG effective | 1st October |
| Minimum SL fare | ₹65 |
All the best for CBT-1 & CBT-2! Keep this sheet handy and revise daily 10 min till exam day.
BETA
