RAC New Rules & RAC Seat, berths Allotment New Rules
Contents
RAC New Rules & RAC Seat, Berths Allotment New Rules
RAC Seat and berths Allotment Rules – RAC Ticket Confirmation Rules – How Many RAC Tickets Get Confirmed – How Many RAC Seats Get Confirmed in Sleeper Class – How Many RAC Tickets Get Confirmed in 3ac – RAC New Rules
Allotment of RAC berths to passengers – IRCTC NEW RULES
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)
No. 94/ TG-I/ 20/P/ Pt.RAC
New Delhi, dated 14.12.2025
The Chief Commercial Managers,
All Zonal Railways.
General Manager / PRS,
CRIS, Chanakya Puri, New Delhi
(COMMERCIAL CIRCULAR NO. 71 OF 2025)
Sub: Allotment of RAC berths to passengers.
It has been decided to revise the number of berths to be earmarked as RAC in Non-LHB coaches of different classes as under:-
How Many RAC Tickets Get Confirmed
How Many RAC Seats Get Confirmed in Sleeper Class
Class : Sleeper (SL)
- No. of additional berths to be provided for RAC passengers : 2 Side Lower berths
- No. of additional RAC passengers to be provided sitting accommodation : 4
- Total No. of berths to be earmarked for RAC passengers : 7 (Side Lower)
- Total Number of RAC passengers to be provided confirmed accommodation : 14
How Many RAC Tickets Get Confirmed in 3AC
Class : 3 AC
- No. of additional berths to be provided for RAC passengers : 2 Side Lower Berths
- No. of additional RAC passengers to be provided sitting accommodation : 4
- Total No. of berths to be earmarked for RAC passengers : 4 (Side Lower)
- Total Number of RAC passengers to be provided confirmed accommodation : 8
How Many RAC Tickets Get Confirmed in 2AC
Class : 2 AC
- No. of additional berths to be provided for RAC passengers : 1 Side Lower Berths
- No. of additional RAC passengers to be provided sitting accommodation : 2
- Total No. of berths to be earmarked for RAC passengers : 3 (Side Lower)
- Total Number of RAC passengers to be provided confirmed accommodation : 6
2. Zonal Railways will take necessary action to define enhanced RAC berths in the profile of the trains and ensure its booking from ARP or no booking date whichever is earlier, The exercise of defining enhanced RAC accommodation should be completed latest by 15.01.2025 and from 16.01.2025, trains in which booking will be opened should have enhanced RAC accommodation as mentioned above.
sd/-
(Vikram Singh)
Director Passenger Marketing
Railway Board
Click Here to Download the Original Order
Ministry Of Railway Increases RAC Berths To Allow More Passenger To Travel On Board Trains
RAC Seat Allotment Rules
Number of RAC Seats in a Train
How Many RAC Seats Get Confirmed in Sleeper Class
How do I know my RAC is confirmed?
In short RAC means Reservation Against Cancellations, so if you have RAC-1 on your ticket, your ticket will be confirmed which means someone cancels his ticket. Once the coach number chart of a RAC ticket is prepared and sent to your mobile number or you can check the pnr status from the Indian Railways website.
How do I get my RAC confirmed?
Seat number is assigned to the CNF level passengers upon completion of the ranking. RAC PNR status passengers can cancel their tickets 30 minutes before departure. If the rank is in the RAC, the entire berth will be allocated from confirmed passengers who do not board the train.
How many RAC tickets get confirmed in sleeper?
Sleeper (SL) : Total No. of berths to be earmarked for RAC passengers 7 , No. of additional RAC passengers to be provided sitting accommodation 4 in each coach.
Does RAC Means seat confirmed?
Yes, if your ticket status is RAC after the illustrated products, your ticket is partially confirmed and you are allowed to board the train. RAC passengers are allocated half of the side lower berth with another RAC level passenger. That means a seat is shared between two RAC passengers.
What is CNF in RAC?
RAC means reservation against cancellation and confirmation if CNF. In the RAC one must share a berth between two passengers and the CNF belongs to a single berth in a single berth.
Can RAC ticket be Cancelled?
RAC ticket cancellation charges
Cancellation Charges for RAC or Waitlisted Tickets
(a) In case of e-tickets shall be cancelled online or online TDR shall be filed within the time limits prescribed under these rules for obtaining refund.
(b) Where a RAC ticket or wait-listed ticket is presented for cancellation, the refund of fare shall be made after deducting the clerkage if the ticket is present for cancellation upto thirty minutes before the scheduled departure of the train irrespective of the distance.
| Clerkage Charge:- | |
| Upto 30 minutes before the scheduled departure of the train irrespective of the distance | Clerkage charge Rs.60 per passenger plus GST applicable for all AC Classes |
(c) No refund shall be granted on RAC ticket or wait-listed ticket after thirty minutes before the scheduled departure of the train.
(d) Where confirmed reservation has been provided to RAC or wait-listed ticket holder at any time upto final preparation of reservation chart, such ticket shall be treated as a reserved ticket and cancellation charges shall be payable in accordance with clause 1 (Cancellation Charges for Confirmed Tickets)
Here’s an up-to-date summary of the new RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) rules and seating/berth allotment policies introduced by Indian Railways to make RAC travel more passenger-friendly:
1. Enhanced RAC Allotment (Since January 2025)
- The Railway Board expanded the number of RAC berths in non‑LHB coaches to accommodate more travelers:
Class Total RAC Side‑Lower Berths RAC Passengers Seated Sleeper (SL) 7 berths 14 (2 per berth) 3AC 4 berths 8 2AC 3 berths 6 This change took effect for bookings opened from 16 January 2025
2. RAC Seat/Berth Allocation and Upgrading
- Guaranteed Travel: RAC tickets ensure you can board the train with a guaranteed seat, typically by sharing the side‑lower berth with another RAC passenger.
- Upgrade Possibility: If confirmed passengers cancel or don’t board, RAC passengers are upgraded to a full berth. The upgrades happen during chart preparation or by the TTE during the journey.
- Daytime Seating: During daytime, RAC passengers share the berth in sitting position. After 10 pm, side‑lower berths are converted for sleep.
Real rider insight from Reddit:
“There is no refund or partial refund for travelling RAC. You pay full fare
“Good chances it will get confirmed… Otherwise, SL seat will be shared.”
3. New Comfort Enhancements for RAC Passengers (2025)
- Separate Bedroll Provisions: RAC passengers in AC coaches will now receive their personal packaged bedroll kit—comprising two bedsheets, a pillow, blanket, and towel—just like confirmed ticket holders.
- Full Seat Guarantee: Even if not upgraded to a confirmed berth, RAC passengers are assured their own seat without the need to share.
4. Summary Table: RAC Rules
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| RAC Booking | Guarantees rail travel, seat shared on side‑lower |
| Berth Sharing | Common at night; shared side lower berth |
| Upgrades | Possible via cancellations or TTE during journey |
| RAC Berth Expansion | SL: 7 (14 pax), 3AC: 4 (8 pax), 2AC: 3 (6 pax) |
| Bedroll Kit (AC Coaches) | Individual pack provided as standard |
| Seat Confirmation | Offers comfort parity with confirmed passengers |
Let me know if you’d like help tracking RAC status via IRCTC or managing seating arrangements when traveling with family!