Many passengers often travel in groups under a single PNR. A common confusion exists whether waitlisted passengers can travel if at least one person on the same PNR has a confirmed seat. Indian Railways has provided official clarity on this matter to avoid penalties during journeys.
Can waitlisted passengers travel with a confirmed co-passenger?
According to official information from Rail Madad and the 139 helpline, only passengers with confirmed tickets are permitted to travel. Having one confirmed seat in a PNR does not give travel rights to other waitlisted passengers. From May 1, 2025, rules are even stricter, and waitlisted passengers are strictly prohibited from entering reserved compartments like Sleeper and AC coaches.
What are the penalties for unauthorized travel?
Passengers found traveling without a confirmed reservation in reserved coaches will be treated as traveling without a valid ticket. They may be asked to deboard and will have to pay a fine along with the fare to the next station. The penalty charges are as follows:
| Coach Type | Penalty Amount |
|---|---|
| Sleeper Coach | Rs 250 + Fare |
| AC Coach | Rs 440 + Fare |
How do refunds work for partially waitlisted e-tickets?
For fully waitlisted e-tickets, IRCTC cancels the ticket automatically and processes a full refund. However, for partially confirmed PNRs, automatic refunds do not apply to the waitlisted passengers. Those who do not intend to travel must cancel their tickets before chart preparation or file a Ticket Deposit Receipt (TDR) within 72 hours after the journey to avoid losing their fare.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
क्या चार्ट में नाम होने से वेटलिस्ट यात्री सफर कर सकता है?
नहीं, चार्ट में नाम आने का मतलब यात्रा की अनुमति नहीं है। केवल कन्फर्म टिकट वाले यात्री ही आधिकारिक तौर पर सफर कर सकते हैं।
पार्शियली वेटलिस्ट टिकट का रिफंड कैसे मिलता है?
ऐसे टिकट ऑटोमैटिक कैंसिल नहीं होते। यात्रियों को चार्ट बनने से पहले कैंसिल करना होगा या यात्रा के 72 घंटे के भीतर TDR फाइल करना होगा।