What Is GNWL In Indian Railways? Here’s All You Need To Know!

If you get confused after seeing acronyms like WL, GNWL, RLWL, PQWL, and more while booking train tickets with Indian Railways, then it will make you feel better to know that you aren’t the only ones! Now, we’re here to make you understand more about the General Waiting List (GNWL) – the most common waiting list in the Indian Railways. So, scroll on to know more!

What Is The General Waiting List (GNWL)?

Let us start by understanding what is WL or Waiting List in Indian Railways. Just as the name suggests, it is a waitlist where passengers are placed while trying to book a train ticket. More often than not, when you try booking a train ticket, your ticket is on a waiting list. Its confirmation depends on subsequent cancellations by other passengers. If you’re on a WL, then your chances of getting the ticket are almost confirmed. However, it is important to understand that not all waiting list tickets get confirmed.

Now, GNWL in Indian Railways stands for General Waiting List. It is one of the most common types of waiting lists and if you’re placed on this list, it means you have a higher chance of confirmation than other types of waiting lists. Tickets with this code are issued to passengers who start their journey from the originating station or a station close to it. To understand how this works, say you have a ticket that reads General Waiting List 7/WL 8. This will mean you are number 8 on the waiting list. Your ticket will be confirmed after the cancellation of tickets of 8 other passengers.

Also, if you have a GNWL ticket, then you will be given priority over passengers with RAC (Reservation against Cancellation) tickets when RAC tickets are cancelled. Furthermore, in case you don’t get a ticket confirmation, then your online booking with GNWL status will be cancelled. You will get a refund in your bank account within 3 to 7 days.

Also Read: First Look Of Vande Bharat Sleeper Train; Number Of AC Coaches To Amenities, All You Need To Know

Other Waiting Lists In Indian Railways

Besides GNWL, there are several other kinds of waiting lists in the Indian Railways as well. Here are some waiting lists that you might have come across –

1. Pooled Quota Waiting List (PQWL) – This waiting list is issued when a long-distance train stops between two stations.
2. Roadside Station Waiting List (RSWL) – The RSWL code appears when a ticket is booked from originating stations to roadside stations or nearby stations.
3. Tatkal Quota Waiting List (TQWL) – This waiting list code is issued when the berths available for the Tatkal quota are exhausted during Tatkal ticket booking.
4. Remote Location Waiting List (RLWL) – RLWL offers passengers a chance to secure a seat if someone cancels their trip specifically from a remote location.

Also Read: What Is ‘No Show’ Trend, The Reason Behind Indian Railways’ Decision To Reduce Advance Reservation Period?

We hope this information was helpful to you all!

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