Millions of people travel every year in Indian Railways, and often passengers had to travel on waiting tickets due to the crowd of trains and lack of tickets. But now the Railways has made a big change, which will completely change the experience of the passengers’ journey.
Under the new rules implemented from 1 May 2025, traveling in sleeper and AC coaches on waiting tickets has now been completely banned. The move aims to give passengers a safe, comfortable and crowded journey experience.
Now if you have waiting tickets, then you can travel only in General (Unreserved) coach. This rule will be applicable to tickets booked in both IRCTC and offline methods. Railways say that this will make it easier to get seats for the confirmed tickets and the problem of overbooking and chaos will also be reduced.
In this article, we will tell you what are the new rules of waiting tickets, how they will affect the passengers, how much will be paid, and how to plan a journey.
New Train Travel Rules 2025: Waiting ticket is completely banned in sleeper and AC coaches
Indian Railways has made a major change in the rules of travel on waiting tickets since 1 May 2025. Now waiting ticket holders will not be allowed to travel in sleeper and AC coaches. Only passengers with confirmed tickets will be able to travel in these reserved coaches.
Indian Railways New Rules 2025: Overview Table
| Rules/facility | New change (implemented from 1 May 2025) |
| Waiting ticket rules | Waiting tickets completely banned in sleeper/AC |
| Permission to travel | Travel in general coach only on waiting tickets |
| Ticket booking period | 120 days to 60 days |
| Online ticket safety | OTP verification is necessary |
| Sleeper | Up to ₹ 250 |
| Fines (AC) | Up to ₹ 440 |
| Ticket booking method | Applicated to both online and offline |
| TTE role | Strictly implementing rules |
What are the new waiting ticket rules?
- Now traveling in sleeper and AC coaches on waiting tickets is no longer allowed.
- Passengers with waiting tickets can travel only in general (unreserved) coaches.
- This rule is applicable to all trains, all routes and all ticket booking platforms (IRCTC, Railway Counter).
- If a passenger is found sitting in a sleeper or AC coach with a waiting ticket, he will be fined and he can be landed by train at the next station.
Will traveling on waiting ticket be fined?
- Sleeper Class: Fines up to ₹ 250
- In AC Class: Fines up to ₹ 440
- Apart from this, you will also have to pay the fare of the coach in which you are sitting, and you will be removed from the train till the next station.
- TTE (Traveling Ticket Examiner) has been given strict instructions to take immediate action against those who break the rules.
Why was this change done?
- To reduce the problem of congestion and overbooking in the railway.
- Confirmed tickets to give passengers better and comfortable travel experience.
- To prevent incidents of chaos and quarrels in sleeper and AC coaches.
- To prioritize the safety and convenience of passengers.
Advance Reservation Period (ARP) change
- Earlier passengers could book tickets till 120 days ago, now this period has been reduced to 60 days.
- That is, now you will be able to book tickets only 2 months before the date of your journey.
- This will make it easier for transparency and planning in ticket booking.
Other new rules of ticket booking
- OTP Verification: Now OTP verification has been made necessary for every online ticket booking. This will prevent fake booking and ticket brokers.
- ID Proof: It is mandatory to show the same identity card at the time of ticket booking and travel.
- Tatkal Ticket Booking: Aadhaar verification is necessary in Tatkal ticket booking and dynamic pricing has been implemented.
- Refund Policy: No refund will be found on confirmed Tatkal tickets.
- Changes in Charges: Reservation, superfast and immediate charge have been increased.
Benefits of new rules
- Sleeper and AC coaches will reduce the crowd.
- Those with confirmed tickets will be easy to get seats.
- Travel experience will be better and safe.
- Overbooking and ticket brokers will be banned.
- Incidents of chaos and quarrels in the railway coach will be reduced.
Who can harm the new rules?
- Passengers who often traveled in sleeper or AC coaches with waiting tickets will now have to travel only in general coaches.
- Long distance passengers will now have to plan the journey in advance, as the option of waiting tickets is limited.
- It may be difficult for those delaying ticket booking to get confirmed tickets.
How to plan travel?
- Book tickets at least 2 months before the date of travel.
- If you do not get confirmed tickets, then prepare for the journey in the general coach.
- Take care of Aadhaar verification and dynamic pricing in Tatkal ticket booking.
- At the time of travel, keep the same identity card with which the ticket was given at the time of booking.
- Keep the mobile number update for OTP verification in online ticket booking.
Frequently asked questions related to waiting tickets (FAQs)
Q1. Can you travel in sleeper or AC coach on waiting tickets now?
No, now the journey is allowed only in general coaches on waiting tickets.
Q2. What would happen if you sit in a sleeper or AC coach with a waiting ticket?
You will be fined and can be landed by train at the next station.
Q3. Is this rule applicable to both online and offline tickets?
Yes, this rule is applicable to both.
Q4. What is Advance Reservation Period (ARP)?
Now the duration of ticket booking has been reduced from 120 days to 60 days.
Q5. Is OTP necessary for online ticket booking?
Yes, now OTP verification is necessary for every online ticket booking.
New rules of waiting tickets: Key things at a glance
- Travel in sleeper and AC coaches on waiting tickets completely banned.
- Waiting ticket valid only in general coach.
- Fines for breaking the rules and provision to be removed by train.
- Ticket booking duration 60 days.
- OTP required for online booking.
- Better experience for confirmed tickets.
Impact of new rules of train travel
These new rules have changed the way of traveling in Indian Railways. Now passengers will have to plan their journey in advance and give priority of confirmed tickets. There will no longer be the facility to travel in sleeper or AC coaches on waiting tickets, which will reduce the congestion and chaos. This step of the Railways is in the interest of the passengers, which will give everyone a safe and comfortable travel experience.
Necessary tips for train travel
- Be sure to check the ticket position before the journey.
- If you do not get a confirmed ticket, keep the option of traveling in the general coach.
- Keep identity cards and tickets with you at the time of travel.
- Follow the rules, so that there is no problem in travel.
- Do not delay ticket booking, especially during holidays or festivals.
conclusion
The new rules implemented by Indian Railways from 1 May 2025 have now been completely banned to travel in sleeper and AC coaches on waiting tickets. Passengers will now have to plan the journey in advance and give priority of confirmed tickets. This change will not only improve the experience of travel, but will also reduce the problem of crowd and chaos.
Disclaimer:
These rules have been implemented since 1 May 2025 and the Railways has confirmed this. This is not a rumor or fake news, but a step taken by the Railways for the convenience and safety of the passengers. If you are planning a train trip, then take care of these new rules and travel with a confirmed ticket.
