Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) is one of the most useful services offered by Indian Railways since decades. But it is reportedly examining the possibility of discontinuing its decades-old facility. For those who don’t know, the RAC system was introduced in the 1980s wherein two passengers are allotted the same berth and have to share their sleeping space despite paying the full ticket fare.But this system has been questioned both concerning passenger’s comfort and prices for the ticket.The development was reported by several media houses including The Economic Times and TOI recently. According to reports, there are plans to scrap this train reservation facility; passengers may no longer have to share berths despite paying full fare’.The reported review comes amid growing questions about passenger convenience and the fairness of charging the full fare to travellers who do not receive an individual sleeping berth. However, it is important to note that the Railways has not announced a final decision or issued an official notification confirming the abolition of RAC.Why is Indian Railways reconsidering the RAC system?
Indian railways (Canva)
The Reservation Against Cancellation facility allows passengers to travel on a reserved ticket even when a full berth is not available. It’s kind of a shared space for sure without any confirmation for a full seat. It provides an intermediate status between a confirmed ticket and a waitlisted ticket.Under the existing arrangement, two RAC passengers are generally allotted one side-lower berth. During the daytime, the berth functions as seating accommodation, while at night the two passengers share the available sleeping space.Although this arrangement ensures that passengers can board the train, it does not guarantee an individual berth. Both passengers are charged the applicable full fare despite having to share the accommodation.This has been raising several questions about whether the existing system adequately addresses passenger comfort, particularly on long-distance journeys.According to the railway official quoted by The Times of India, there is a view that charging the full fare when a passenger does not receive the full sleeping space may not be appropriate. The reported examination of the RAC facility is linked to this concern.The debate over RAC is not new
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It’s not a new issue. It was examined by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament, which raised concerns about charging passengers the full fare when they continue to hold RAC status even after the preparation of the reservation chart.In its 36th Report on ‘Punctuality and Travel Time in Train Operations in Indian Railways’, tabled on February 4, 2026, the committee questioned the justification for collecting the full fare from passengers who do not receive a full berth.The committee recommended that the Ministry of Railways develop a mechanism to provide a partial fare refund to passengers who remain in the RAC category after chart preparation and have to travel without an individual berth.This recommendation brought the issue of RAC fares into sharper focus. While passengers are assured of a place to travel, the accommodation they receive is different from that provided to someone with a confirmed berth.The latest reported examination of the RAC system could therefore indicate a broader reconsideration of how Indian Railways balances passenger accommodation, convenience and ticket pricing.How does RAC work under the existing railway rules?According to the reservation rules published by Indian Railways, passengers under RAC are allotted reserved seating accommodation. If a berth becomes vacant because of a cancellation, it can be allotted to an RAC passenger. The same process can continue during the journey, subject to availability.The railway reservation information also identifies RAC as a special provision that allows a berth to be split into two or more seats.This arrangement is particularly relevant when trains operate with high occupancy. Instead of leaving passengers entirely on the waiting list, RAC allows additional travellers to board with reserved seating accommodation.However, the arrangement can become uncomfortable during overnight journeys, when passengers have to share the same sleeping space. It can also create practical difficulties for train ticket examiners (TTEs), who may have limited options to arrange alternative accommodation when no vacant berths are available.The situation can be particularly awkward when two unrelated passengers, including a man and a woman, are allotted the same side-lower berth.Can an RAC ticket become confirmed?
Indian Railways RAC Ticket Facility May Be Discontinued: What It Means For Passengers And Why It Is Under Review
Yes. An RAC ticket can be upgraded to confirmed status if a berth becomes available before or during the journey.This is an important distinction between RAC and waitlisted tickets. RAC passengers have reserved seating accommodation and permission to board, while fully waitlisted e-tickets that remain unconfirmed after chart preparation are subject to different boarding restrictions.For now, passengers should not assume that RAC bookings have been discontinued. The latest development is a reported examination of the facility, not a confirmed policy change.Until the Ministry of Railways issues an official announcement or revised reservation rules, existing RAC provisions will continue to apply. Passengers booking train tickets should therefore check their PNR status and the applicable reservation conditions before travelling.
