PQWL means pooled quota waiting list. If booked at counter you can travel in unreserved coach or approach TTE for any vacant seat in reserved coach.. If booked online you should not travel with the ticket. It will be automatically cancelled and the amount will be refunded to your account.

In the Indian Railways ticketing system, PQWL WL 1 stands for Pooled Quota Waiting List with a current status of Waiting List 1. This specific quota is typically shared by several smaller, intermediate stations on a train's route. For example, if you are traveling between two mid-route stations rather than from the starting point to the end, your ticket falls into this "pool." The number "WL 1" indicates that you are the very first person in line to get a confirmed seat from this specific quota if someone else cancels. PQWL generally has lower priority for confirmation than the General Waiting List (GNWL), meaning it clears more slowly. If your status does not reach "Confirmed" (CNF) or "Racing" (RAC) by the time the final chart is prepared, the ticket is automatically cancelled, and a refund is issued to your bank account.