Indian Railways has rolled out an advanced digital system designed to automatically assign vacant berths to passengers with Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) or waitlisted tickets. This initiative eliminates the hassle of tracking down Travelling Ticket Examiners for seat confirmations and brings much-needed relief to daily travellers. Key highlights of the new system include real-time berth updates through handheld terminals, automatic mobile notifications for confirmed passengers, enhanced tracking mechanisms via the Rail Madad and IRCTC apps, and modern technological upgrades aimed at boosting overall operational transparency across the network.
The newly launched mechanism leverages real-time data synchronization through TTE handheld terminals. When a passenger fails to board the train, the TTE marks them as unboarded on the HHT. This action instantly updates the central railway server, which then automatically allocates the vacant berth to the next eligible passenger. Passengers receive a direct confirmation notification on their mobile phones. According to official projections, this digital shift will
increase ticket-checking efficiency by 40 percent,
reduce the misuse of vacant berths by 80 percent, and
decrease overall passenger complaints by 60 percent. Travellers can also track real-time updates regarding vacant seats, coach layouts, and train locations using the Rail Madad or IRCTC mobile applications.
To maintain transparency, the HHT devices come equipped with 4G connectivity, real-time data syncing, and GPS tracking accurate within five meters. If a TTE fails to update a vacant berth promptly, passengers can lodge a complaint through the Rail Madad app or by calling the helpline at 139, allowing authorities to verify details using GPS data. Expansion plans are already underway, including a pilot phase featuring smart jackets equipped with integrated GPS, cameras, and SOS buttons for TTEs in the Mumbai Central Division running through December 2026. A nationwide rollout across all 17 railway zones is slated to begin in April 2027. Furthermore, the Railway Board is upgrading its 40-year-old Passenger Reservation System with artificial intelligence to
accelerate booking speeds by five times and provide smarter predictive updates on ticket confirmations.
Alongside automation, several passenger-friendly policy updates have been implemented recently. As of August 5 to 7, 2026,
RAC ticket holders travelling in AC coaches are entitled to a full bedroll kit, comprising two bedsheets, one blanket, one pillow, and a towel. Since February 4, 2026, TTEs have been authorized to allot seats to eligible passengers immediately upon a no-show rather than waiting for the train to reach the next scheduled station. Additionally, passengers can
change their boarding station digitally up to 30 minutes before the train departs from its origin station, a policy active since April 7, 2026. While the RAC system remains standard across most services, authorities have confirmed that
RAC will be abolished in sleeper classes for Amrit Bharat II Express trains and select Vande Bharat sleeper configurations.
