The Indian Railways system, facilitated by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), uses a variety of abbreviations that can be confusing for new travellers. Booking train tickets through IRCTC can be easy, but understanding the abbreviations used to indicate your reservation status can be a challenge.

This article explains what CNF means and delves into other commonly encountered short forms on IRCTC tickets.

Also read: How to book a Tatkal ticket in IRCTC fast?

What does CNF mean?

CNF status means your reservation is confirmed.

CNF indicates that you have a guaranteed seat on the train. You will be allocated a coach and berth number during the charting process, typically a few hours before departure.

Common IRCTC abbreviations

Other than the CNF status there are two more most common and important abbreviations used in IRCTC and they are explained below:

WL (Waiting List): This indicates your reservation is on a waiting list. The number following WL (e.g., WL 10) shows your current position on the list. The lower the number, the better your chances of getting a confirmed seat. Confirmations happen as other passengers cancel their tickets or their RAC tickets don’t get confirmed.
RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation): RAC signifies that you have a partial confirmation. If cancellations occur before the journey, you’ll share a berth with another passenger. A RAC ticket with a low number (e.g., RAC 1) is more likely to become confirmed.
GNWL: General Waiting List – This is the most common waiting list category for regular tickets.
PQWL: Pooled Quota Waiting List – This applies to tickets booked under special quotas like ladies quota or defence quota.
RLWL: Remote Location Waiting List – Used for stations where confirmed bookings open a shorter period before departure.
TQWL: Tatkal Waiting List – This applies to Tatkal tickets, a special quota for last-minute bookings with limited confirmation chances.