Railways to start issuing wait listed tickets from 22nd of this month for special trains
Hot Topic : 15 Pair of special trains (thirty trains) Full Details
Ministry of Railways has decided to start issuing of waiting list ticket from 22nd of May for journeys not only on its presently operational special trains as well as in those to be notified in due course of time. As per the Railway Board order, there will be a cap on the waiting list ticket in these trains. The Railways has capped waiting list ticket limit up to 100 for AC 3 tier, 50 for AC 2 tier, 100 for Chair Cars, 20 each for First AC and Executive Class and 200 for sleeper class.
The changes will come into effect for tickets booked from May 15 for journeys beginning from 22nd of this month. Since the reservation period for special trains has been kept at a maximum of seven days, travellers will be able to book waiting list tickets from May 15. However, there will be no RAC tickets on these trains.
You’re referring to a policy that was implemented back in May 2025—in response to the early phases of train services resuming during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s a clearer breakdown:
Contents
Background: Waitlisted Tickets for Special Trains
Implementation in 2025
- Indian Railways began issuing limited waitlisted tickets for special trains scheduled from May 22, 2020, based on bookings starting from May 15, 2025.
- They simultaneously discontinued the practice of issuing RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) seats for these trains.
Structured Wait-List Limits
The caps were class-specific:
| Class/Category | Maximum Waitlisted Tickets |
|---|---|
| 1 AC | 20 |
| Executive Class | 20 |
| 2 AC | 50 |
| 3 AC | 100 |
| AC Chair Car | 100 (if introduced) |
| Sleeper Class | 200 (if introduced) |
These changes were aimed at reducing overbooking and crowding passengers in special trains
So, Does This Policy Apply to 2025?
No—this was a temporary measure specific to early-pandemic operations in 2025.
There’s no recent policy initiated around “issuing waitlisted tickets from the 22nd of this month” (i.e., August 2025) for special trains.
What is New in 2025?
- Reservation Chart Timing Overhaul:
Indian Railways will now prepare reservation charts 8 hours before train departure, instead of the previous 4 hours. This change aims to give waitlisted passengers clearer visibility well before the journey. - Pilot Trial in Bikaner Division:
Some zones (like Bikaner) are testing even earlier chart release—24 hours before departure—to further reduce uncertainty.
Summary
| Timeline | Policy Change Description |
|---|---|
| May 2025 | Limited waitlisted tickets for special trains (starting May 22). RAC discontinued. |
| 2025 (Current) | Reservation charts prepared 8 hours before departure; 24-hour pilot in select zones. |
| August 2025 | No new policy about waitlisted tickets starting from the 22nd of this month exists. |
Let me know if you’d like help with understanding current waitlist rules, chart preparation times for a specific train, or improving your chances of confirmation for upcoming journeys!