IRCTC Rules Updated:
If your family has four members and only two have confirmed train tickets while the other two are on the waiting list, only the passengers with confirmed tickets can travel in the reserved coach. This rule has been in effect since May 1, 2025. If you ignore this rule and try to take the waiting-list passengers with you in the reserved coach, they may be fined by the Ticket Collector (TC).

IRCTC Rules Updated:

If your waiting-list tickets get upgraded to RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation), you can travel in the reserved coach, but you may have to share a seat with someone else. However, if the tickets remain waiting-list until the train departs, it is better to buy general tickets online and travel in the general coach.

Many times, we book railway tickets in advance for urgent trips, but unexpected changes may lead to cancellation or rescheduling. In such cases, the Indian Railways provides partial refunds if you cancel the ticket before the journey.

IRCTC also allows confirmed tickets to be transferred to family members like parents, siblings, spouse, or children. To transfer a ticket, a transfer request must be submitted on the IRCTC portal at least 24 hours before the journey.

For passengers who buy tickets at the last minute at the station, they can still board the reserved coach by coordinating with the TC. But according to the rule, such passengers must pay the full fare from boarding station to the destination, plus a fine of ₹250.

After the chart is prepared, some seats often remain vacant. To address this, the Railways has introduced the Current Ticket Booking system. Passengers can book vacant seats up to 5–10 minutes before the train departs, even after the chart is finalized, which is usually four hours before departure. Only vacant berths can be confirmed under this system.

These changes help families plan travel better and prevent misuse of reserved coaches while giving opportunities to last-minute travelers to get seats.

Also Read: School Holiday on 22nd Sep: Schools Closed in Several States Due to Rain and Festivals

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