How to Upgrade to AC Class Without Paying Extra

In a country as vast as India, train travel remains the most economical and convenient mode of transportation. SL seats in trains are the most affordable coaches where where passengers can reserve seats, however AC Class still remains the most sought after coach in a train.

But did you know, Indian Railways can upgrade you to AC Class even if you booked a SL train seat? And the best part is you don’t even need to pay any extra charges, all the upgrades take place for Free. All thanks to the Automatic Upgradation Scheme of the Indian Railways.

So, what is auto upgradation in IRCTC and how can we upgrade our seats? Let’s find out. 

What Is the Automatic Upgradation Scheme in Indian Railways?

The Indian Railways introduced the Automatic Upgradation Scheme in 2006 to offer free upgrades to eligible passengers along with providing the best utility for vacant berths in upper classes, especially AC class. 

Key features of Auto Upgradation Scheme:

• IRCTC automatically opts in all full-fare paying passengers, including WL passengers, for the upgradation scheme. If you are wondering what is WL in train, it means Waiting List.
• No additional charges are levied on the passenger.
• Indian Railways does not consider passengers travelling on concessional tickets for auto upgrades.
• The upgradation process is driven by Passenger Reservation System (PRS) and is fully automated and system-driven.
• You need to opt in when provided with the option to consider for auto upgradation in IRCTC. Even if you didn’t opt in for any response at the time of IRCTC train reservation, the system takes it for a YES.
• After the upgrade, the PNR number remains the same. Seat and berth details are updated. 
• All the passengers of a ticket are upgraded together. Partial upgradation of passengers for a single ticket, where some people are upgraded while others don’t, does not take place
• Upgradation is of two varieties: Sleeping accommodations and Sitting accommodations.
• One or two classes above the original ticket booking is allowed. For example: Sleeper → 3E/3A → 2A.
• For sleeping accommodations, you can’t skip two classes to reach 1AC. Indian Railways upgrades only 2AC passengers to 1AC—not 3AC.
• Similarly, Indian Railways upgrades only CC class passengers to EC, EV, or EA. It upgrades CC passengers to EA only when EC or EV coaches aren’t available on the train.
• Here’s a detailed of list of different classes and the permissible upgradation levels:

How to Get Upgraded to AC Class from Sleeper Without Paying Extra

Now that we have learnt about the Automatic Upgradation Scheme in Indian Railways it is now time to know how one can get updated to AC Class from Sleeper classes.

1. 1. Opt in for Auto Upgradation Scheme at the time of IRCTC train reservation: At the time of booking the ticket you would be provided with the option of “Consider for auto upgradation in IRCTC”. Opt in when you see this. Even if you didn’t sel;ect any response, Indian Railways treats it as a yes.
   2. Be a full-fare paying passenger: You need to be a full-fare paying passenger. Indian Railways advises full fare paying passengers under the senior citizen or lower berth quota to opt for the auto upgradation scheme carefully. It also reminds them that after upgradation, they may or may not get a lower berth in the newly assigned AC class.
   3. All passengers need to opt in: Upgradation takes place for all the passengers for a ticket or doesn’t at all. There can’t be a case where a few passengers from a ticket are upgraded while others aren’t. Hence, every passenger in a joint train ticket needs to opt in for upgradation.
   4. Travel in small groups: Upgradation is comparatively easier for Solo travellers or small groups. For these travellers the system may find individual berths in the AC class as these are easier to find. For large groups the system needs to find entire sections which is difficult to get.
   5. Choose train routes that are less crowded: Upgradation takes place only when the AC class has vacant seats. Book in less crowded routes on Weekdays to ensure vacancy in AC class, thus increasing your chance of upgrading. 
   6. Check train seat availability: You can take the help of RailMitra’s superfast and helpful service to check train seat availability online. This service shows the number of available seats in different coaches, so you can assess whether the system might upgrade your ticket.

When and How Indian Railways Decides Who Gets an Upgrade

The Passenger Reservation System (PRS) transparently carries out the Automatic Upgradation Scheme, which is fully system-driven and randomized. The system automates the entire process without any human intervention.

When does Auto upgradation take place?

Auto upgradation takes place at the time of final charting. Final charting usually takes place 3-4 hours before the time of departure of a train.

You can check Train schedule online with the help of RailMitra platform, to look for train’s timings. This service tells us about a train’s Arrival/Departure time, stations on the route, halt duration and many more things related to a train’s journey.

How does Auto upgradation take place?

We have discussed the eligibility and the hierarchy of the auto upgradation scheme. Let’s look at other aspects of the auto upgradation scheme:

•  All the vacant accommodations should be exhausted for upgradation without blocking any minimum accommodation in each class. 
• This should be the hierarchy of upgradation:
  • For sitting accommodation 2S<VS<CC<EC<EV<EA
  • For sleeping accommodation SL<3E<3A<2A<1A
  • You can consult the table above for a detailed hierarchy of upgradation.
• A minimum of 6 seats needs to be available in the upper classes for any upgrade to be possible. 
• The auto upgradation scheme is integrated with the IRCTC Vikalp Scheme. Vikalp scheme is a novel initiative by the Indian Railways providing alternate bookings in other trains for waitlisted passengers. 

How to Check Train Upgrade List Online Before Journey

After opting in for the ‘Consider for auto upgradation in IRCTC’ option and completing your train reservation, it is important to check whether the system has actually upgraded you to a higher class.

You can check your current booking with the help of a PNR Status check online. Just follow these simple and easy steps:

1. Go to RailMitra.com or install the application.
2. Select PNR Status option.
3. Enter your 10 digit PNR Number.
4. Hit Check PNR Status button.

The system will display your current booking status on the screen. In case of any upgrade, it will promptly update the information in your online PNR status. Since the system updates PNR status in real time, it shows the upgrade as soon as it happens.

With RailMitra’s PNR Check options you also get IRCTC PNR Prediction for free. This service is beneficial for the passengers with a Waitlisted ticket and are wondering whether their booking will be confirmed or not. RailMitra’s PNR check gives a quantitative prediction of ticket confirmation chances and reduces uncertainty for the passengers.

RailMitra platform is available on its website at RailMitra.com as well as a dedicated railway application available on both Google Play Store as well as Apple’s App Store.

Conclusion

In a country that is extremely budget conscious, getting an upgrade for Free seems too good to be real. And yet Indian Railways does this on a daily basis.

Railways’ brilliant Auto Upgradation Scheme demands just one thing: opt in when provided with the option to “Consider for auto upgradation in IRCTC”. Just that, and you could have a chance at an AC class without paying additional fare. Who doesn’t want better comfort, cleaner coach, less noise and more peace without any extra cost?

An auto upgrade to AC class will not only change the comfort of your journey, it might also change how you perceive the Indian Railways.