RAC in Train Booking? All You Need to Know Before You Travel

Train travel in India is the daily lifeline of millions of passengers providing a scenic and yet affordable way of transport. However, this immense love also means one more thing: train booking is difficult, especially during the holidays, festivals and weekends.  Seats get booked in an instant and passengers get a booking status called: RAC. 

RAC full form is Reservation Against Cancellation. It is one of the many PNR Status options provided with ticket booking in Indian Railways. RAC is better than a WL Status but still not as good as the CNF status.

RAC status in train booking has been for quite some time. Despite this, there is a lot of confusion regarding this. In this article we are going to explain everything you need to know about this interesting RAC status. 

Understanding PNR Number and Train Booking Status

When you book a train ticket in Indian you are provided with a 10-digit PNR (Passenger Name Record) Number. This number describes a number of information related to the bookings such as Passenger Details, Train Details and Train booking status.

Although there are many booking status options, these three are the ones you would see most often:

• Confirmed (CNF): Guarantees a berth on the train

• Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC): You get a seat on the train but have to share the berth.

• Waiting List (WL): You are not allowed to board reserved coaches (AC and Sleeper).

CNF is the most sought after booking status as it guarantees a berth. RAC is not as bad as a WL status as you would be given a seat and can continue the journey. 

What Does RAC Status mean?

As explained earlier, RAC full form is Reservation Against Cancellation. RAC train booking is a unique feature of the Indian Railways that is designed to assure the maximum utility for the available berths and seats. When you try booking a ticket and all the Confirmed berths are full, you are assigned a RAC status

This means that although you do not get a berth, you can still have a seat and can continue the journey. In case there are cancellations of Confirmed berths, RAC tickets are prioritised over WL passengers and can be upgraded to a CNF Status.

• RAC status in train booking are allotted specific seats, i.e. side lower berths in all the Sleeper, AC 2 tier and AC 3 tier coaches.
• RAC status is usually represented in this format: e.g.,RAC15/RAC3. 
  • The former one (RAC15) represents the RAC Status at the time of the booking. 15 represents that there are 15 people ahead in the queue for Confirmation. 
  • The latter one (RAC3) represents the present RAC train booking status. Now there are 3 people ahead of the queue for confirmation.
• There are quotas for RAC in Sleeper, AC 2 tier and AC 3 tier coaches. Number of seats varies from train to train and coach to coach.

How to Check RAC Status With RailMitra?

You can easily check RAC or Train booking status with the fast and smooth PNR status check service from RailMitra. You can use the website or download the RailMitra Railway App available on Android as well as iOS.

1. Go to RailMitra.com or install the application. 
2. Click on the PNR Status option.
3. Enter 10-digit PNR and hit the Check PNR Status button.

Your latest train booking status would be displayed on the screen. By checking your PNR Status you can be aware if your RAC Status has improved, promoted to CNF status or is just stuck there.

Confirmation of RAC Train Booking

One of the biggest questions related to RAC train booking is “Does RAC seat get confirmed?” The good news is that: Yes, your RAC train booking can be Confirmed if you have a small RAC waiting number or enough people cancel their tickets.

Here are few of the factors that affect your RAC train booking confirmation chances:

• Confirmed Passengers cancel their booking: When someone with a Confirmed booking, the first passenger in the RAC category, i.e., RAC1 gets Confirmation status.

• Release of Quota tickets: Indian Railways reserves some seats under different quotas (e.g. Ladies, Children, VIP, Divyangjan, etc.). If these tickets are not booked they are released for booking at a time close to the train’s departure. A RAC train booking can often be Confirmed in such a situation.

• If additional coaches are added to the train: Additional coaches are added to the trains during high demand and festive seasons. These newly added seats are allotted to the passengers and RAC booking status are allotted some of these new seats. 

• Chart Preparation: Railway Chart is prepared 4 hours before the time of departure. Most people cancel their ticket just before the time of departure. This is when most of the pending train booking gets confirmed. RAC Status often gets promoted to CNF status here.

Cancellation and Refund Policy for RAC

Train booking status keeps fluctuating even till the end. It is thus important to be aware of the Cancellation and Refund policy. RAC status has options for refund but only under specific conditions:

• Before Chart preparation:  If you cancel your RAC train booking before the chart preparation, usually 4 hours before the time of departure, you are eligible for a refund. A minimal Cancellation charge: ₹60 for Sleeper Class and ₹120 for AC classes (2A/3A) is levied and rest of the amount is transferred to the original payment mode.

• After Chart preparation: If you do not want to travel on a RAC status you can choose not to. You just have to file a TDR (Ticket Deposit Receipt) with IRCTC. Remember you won’t get a refund without filing a TDR. You need to file a TDR 30 minutes before the departure of the train.

• Tatkal RAC ticket: If you get RAC status from Tatkal train booking, you are allowed to cancel your tickets and get a refund up to 30 minutes from the time of the departure. Post that no refund is entertained. 

Many people cancel their train booking due to train delays and uncertainty. You can easily track your train’s current station with the Live train running status service at RailMitra.

Tips for Passengers to Avoid RAC Status

RAC Status is a better alternative than being Waitlisted as you are guaranteed a seat, if not the berth. However we should always strive for a Confirmed status. Here are some of the tips to avoid RAC and always get a CNF status:

• Try to book as early as possible. Train booking starts 60 days before the date of departure. If possible, book tickets 60 days before, just as the booking opens.
• Choose trains with higher berth capacity. Trains with a higher number of berths have higher chances of promotion for an RAC booking status.
• If there are less popular alternative trains available that have a similar duration of travel, choose the alternative.
• Try switching to a better class. Suppose you are looking for a berth in Sleeper class but the tickets are booked, try moving to 3AC or 2AC. There might be few tickets available in those classes.
• Check train seat availability once before booking the tickets. RailMitra has one of the fastest and smoothest rail services currently and you can check seat availability easily.
• Avoid travelling in peak seasons such as Festivals, Long Weekends, Vacations, Wedding Seasons, etc.

Conclusion

Train booking in India is unpredictable, especially during peak seasons. Understanding your train status can help you ensure a smooth journey. RAC status is a smart decision by Indian Railways that uses the available seats smartly while providing the maximum possible service to the passenger.

RailMitra has a range of important rail services for you. You can Check PNR Status, track your train live, check available seats and even order food on the train. RailMitra’s services help you avoid a RAC status and get the coveted Confirmed status instead.

So, the next time you get a RAC status, there is no need for confusion anymore. Plan smart, travel comfortably and enjoy to the fullest with RailMitra. Your best friend on trains.