Indian Railways has recently made some important changes in its ticket booking and travel rules. These changes have been implemented keeping in mind the safety and convenience of passengers. In this article, we will discuss these new rules in detail, especially in the context of RAC tickets.
Summary of new rules
Indian Railways has implemented many new rules from 1 November 2024 which are important for passengers.
Travel ban on waiting ticket
Now it will not be possible to travel on waiting tickets. Only those passengers who have confirmed or RAC seats will be allowed to board the train.
RAC ticket
- RAC ticket holders will be allowed to travel.
- RAC ticket holders are not guaranteed a seat, but get half the berth share and full seat entitlement if offered during the journey.
Refund Process
- If your waitlisted ticket is not confirmed, you will get full money back. You will not have to pay any extra fee for this.
Ticket booking period
- Now train tickets can be booked 60 days in advance, which was earlier 120 days.
Details of new rules
Travel ban on waiting ticket
Indian Railways has taken this decision keeping in mind the safety and convenience of the passengers. Many times it was seen that waiting list passengers boarded the train without ensuring their seat or berth, which increased crowding and also created a risk of accidents. This also caused inconvenience to other passengers who had confirmed seats.
Features of RAC Ticket
RAC ticket holders will be allowed to travel, but are not guaranteed a seat. RAC ticket holders get half of the berth during the journey and if any seat becomes vacant during the journey, they get the right to the full seat.
Impact of new rules on passengers
Benefit
- There will be less crowding in trains: The new rules will reduce crowding in trains as only confirmed or RAC passengers will be allowed to travel.
- The refund process will be fast and simple: If your waitlisted ticket is not confirmed, you will get a full refund without any additional charges.
- Safety standards will be followed better: With the new rules, safety standards will be followed better because uncontrolled crowd will be less.
Loss
- Passengers who book at the last minute may face difficulty: Passengers who book at the last minute and often get waiting lists may find it difficult to travel now.
- If the seat is not confirmed despite Tatkal booking, travel will not be possible: If the seat is not confirmed despite Tatkal booking, the passenger will not be allowed to travel.
Important information for RAC ticket confirmation
What is PNR status and how to check it?
- PNR Number: PNR or Passenger Name Record is a 10 digit unique code which you get while booking a ticket. This code keeps all the information about your trip together.
- Status Check Methods: You can check your PNR status through IRCTC website, mobile app, SMS, or phone call.
waiting list clearance
- Waiting List Clearance: Waiting list clearance can be through RAC, Tatkal quota, and HO quota. If your ticket is in the waiting list, you can get it confirmed through HO quota.
Detailed description of the new rules
Change in ticket booking period
Now passengers will be able to make reservation in any train 60 days in advance, which was earlier 120 days.
How will the refund process work?
If your waitlisted ticket is not confirmed, you will get full money back. In case of e-tickets, the refund process will be automatic and your money will be returned directly to your bank account or through the medium through which you made the payment.
Train ticket confirmation: at a glance
| Description | Information |
| PNR number | 10 digit alphanumeric code |
| Status check methods | IRCTC website, mobile app, SMS, phone call |
| time to check | From 4 hours after ticket booking |
| Update frequency | every 6 hours |
| possibility of confirmation | Up to 24 hours before the date of travel |
| waiting list clearance | RAC, Tatkal Quota, HO Quota |
| Refund Rules | Full refund if not confirmed |
Confirming tickets through HO quota
HO quota or Head Quarters quota is for railway officials, VIPs, and bureaucrats, but under certain circumstances common passengers can also avail it.
application process
- The passenger is required to submit the application (Emergency Quota Form) to the Chief Reservation Supervisor along with all documents proving the emergency situation one day before the date of travel.
- The application should also be signed by a gazetted officer.
- After receiving the application, its information is sent to the divisional/zonal office and then after approval, the ticket is confirmed.
Disclaimer
Disclaimer: This article has been written for informational purposes only. You should use the official website of Indian Railways or other reliable sources to confirm the information given in it. This article should not be taken as legal or financial advice of any kind. If you are unsure about any particular rule or policy, you should contact the relevant authorities. This information may be up to date, so it is important to check official sources for the latest updates.
