What the four codes mean
GNWL means General Wait List; RLWL means Remote Location Wait List; PQWL means Pooled Quota Wait List; TQWL means Tatkal Quota Wait List. The prefix identifies a waiting-list category. It is not an assurance that a particular passenger will receive a berth.
Read the prefix and number together
For an illustrative booking GNWL/20 with current WL/8, the earlier and later positions describe different moments. The number is a queue position, not coach 8 or berth 8. Keep the train, date, class and boarding pair with the result. Looking at a cropped status screenshot without these details makes comparisons unreliable.
Is GNWL always better than RLWL?
There is no universal ranking that proves an individual booking will confirm. Do not compare a small number in one category with a larger number in another as though they shared one queue. Compare the available alternatives for your actual trip and decide how much uncertainty you can accept. RailQ does not publish invented percentage chances from a prefix alone.
Choose an option using your arrival deadline
If you must arrive for an exam, appointment or flight, start with that deadline and compare journeys with confirmed accommodation. A cheaper waitlisted option can become expensive if you later need emergency transport. Include station transfers, overnight accommodation and cancellation conditions in the comparison, not just ticket price.
When should you check again?
Check when making a travel decision and before leaving for the station. Repeated refreshing cannot improve the queue position. After charting, use the separate guide for your ticket type and passenger mix; understanding a category name does not by itself answer whether you may board.