With an aim to bring uniformity and logical basis for numbering of trains, Indian Railways has decided to introduce five-digit numbering system for all passenger carrying trains. The new five-digit numbering system will be effective from December this year. The five-digit scheme proposes to cover all passenger carrying trains including Duronto, Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Garibrath and suburban holiday specials. However, it will not cover freight trains.

Passengers booking tickets in Mail and Express trains will need to add prefix 1 before the existing four-digit numbers while checking the reservation position through the enquiry system. Currently, trains have varying numbers including three- digit, four-digit and alphabetical-numerical ones.

Five-digit train numbering has become necessary as the four-digit system is exhausted, informed a senior Railway Ministry official. However, the official clarified that the names of the trains are not being changed. CRIS (Centre for Railway Information Systems) has been instructed to make necessary changes to modify the software accordingly. After the software is ready, the new numbers will be reflected in the passenger reservation system and train enquiry system.