Train ticket booking can be confusing, especially when the ticket status shows RAC in railway. Many passengers get confused about whether RAC status allows them to travel by train or not, and how they will get assurance about it.
During ticket booking, Indian Railways allows eligible passengers to travel even if the ticket is not fully confirmed. Therefore, passengers need to find details about RAC and related information.
This blog post explores the RAC meaning in train and when it changes the status. Moreover, it also covers the difference between RAC and waitlisted tickets and how RAC works in railways.
What is RAC in Railway and How Does It Work?
RAC means Reservation Against Cancellation. It is a ticket status in Indian Railways that provides the right to travel on relevant trains. However, it restricts passengers from getting a confirmed berth unless the status changes.
Passengers with RAC tickets can travel on the train but have to share the berth with a co-passenger. So, passengers need to frequently check the train PNR status to get real-time updates.
Also Read: Decoding Train PNR Status: From Waiting List to Confirmed Seat
How RAC in Railway Works?
- Confirmed Berth Allotment: RAC in train means passengers can get a berth allotment after chart preparation. Berth allotment is guaranteed for the journey in the train.
- Shared Berth: RAC ticket holders need to share the seat with co-passengers. Therefore, Indian Railways offers a side lower berth for RAC holders that makes berth sharing possible for a comfortable journey.
- Chance of Full Berth Allotment: RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) ticket holders can get full berth allocation once sufficient confirmed tickets are cancelled.
- Final Berth Allocation After Chart Preparation: Seat allotment is done during the chart preparation time. So, passengers need to wait until chart is prepared.
RAC vs Waitlisted Ticket
The terms RAC and WL (Waitlisted) ticket both are different and have different meanings in Indian Railways. However, some passengers get confused between them. So, let’s explore RAC and WL in train.
RAC ticket holders are eligible to travel by train but are required to share a berth during the journey. However, waitlisted ticket holders are not allowed to travel by train if status is not changed after chart preparation.
Therefore, passengers need to check the PNR status before boarding to avoid last-minute surprises. It helps to plan alternatives if ticket status is not confirmed.
When Does RAC Train Ticket Status Change to Confirmed?
RAC in railway gets upgraded in different stages to reach the fully confirmed status.
- On Confirmed Ticket Cancellation: Each confirmed ticket cancellation shifts the RAC ticket towards confirmed status. So, enough tickets need to be cancelled to reach the fully confirmed status.
- After Chart Preparation: During the chart preparation, vacant quota seats are also considered for the seat allotment. Thus, RAC train tickets change their status from RAC to confirmed.
- When Confirmed Ticket Holder Doesn’t Show Up: During the journey, some passengers fail to board the train, which makes a seat vacant. So, Indian Railways allot the vacant seats to RAC passengers following railway rules.
RAC Ticket Cancellation Rules
Shared berth journeys can be challenging during long-distance travel. So, many passengers cancel their RAC train tickets and search for other available trains between stations. However, refunds and cancellation chances depend on different factors that are as follows.
- Time of Cancellation
- Current Ticket Status
- Travel Class
- Applicable Railway Rules
Indian Railways has recently made changes in the train ticket cancellation timing, including chart preparation time. So, follow the latest applicable rules and cancel accordingly.
Tips for RAC Passengers
Passengers with RAC in railway can try these hacks to make a comfortable journey.
- Check PNR Frequently: Passengers need to check the PNR status frequently to find the latest updates. It helps to find changes in ticket status.
- Check the Final Status After Chart Preparation: Passengers need to check the train status before boarding to get the final status. PNR Status changes with time and gets finals only after chart preparation.
- Find Alternate Train Options: In case of RAC status, passengers can find alternate trains using the RailMitra features trains between stations, seat availability and train schedule. It helps to find trains with available seats on some routes.
- Seek TTE Help: Talking with the TTE can help to get the latest updates during the train journey. TTE has a list of vacant seats and can be allotted following Indian Railways rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is RAC in railway?
Ans. RAC stands for Reservation Against Cancellation, which means RAC passengers can get a confirmed seat allocation when enough confirmed tickets are cancelled.
Q. Is travelling with RAC in railway legal?
Ans. Yes, RAC ticket holders can travel by train. RAC status allows passengers to travel legally by following certain rules.
Q. Can RAC train tickets get fully confirmed?
Ans. Yes, RAC tickets can get confirmed after sufficient ticket cancellations. However, final seat allotment is provided after chart preparation.
Q. Can RAC tickets get cancelled?
Ans. Passengers can cancel the RAC tickets, but refund and cancellation charges depend on different factors.
Q. When should I check the RAC status?
Ans. Check the PNR status frequently and get real-time updates. However, must check the PNR status after chart preparation to get the final status.
Read More: RAC Ticket Explained: Meaning, Rules, Benefits and Seat Allocation
Read More: Check Your PNR Status – Complete Guide with Live and Accurate Results
