Indian Railways Eyes RAC Ticket System Reform for Passengers
Indian Railways is reviewing the RAC system to improve passenger comfort and fairness. Learn about potential changes to berth allocation and fares.
Indian Railways is currently evaluating a significant RAC ticket system reform to address long-standing issues with the Reservation Against Cancellation mechanism. For decades, the RAC status has served as a middle ground between a confirmed ticket and a waitlisted one, but the Railway Board is now looking at ways to modernize or entirely abolish this system to improve the overall travel experience.
The Challenges of the Current RAC System
Under the existing RAC rules, two passengers are allotted a single side-lower berth to share during their journey. While both passengers are charged the full ticket fare, they do not receive a dedicated sleeping berth. This arrangement has faced significant criticism for several reasons:
- Passenger Comfort: Sharing a single berth with a stranger can be highly uncomfortable, especially during long-distance journeys.
- Social Discomfort: There have been numerous instances where unrelated male and female passengers are assigned the same berth, leading to social discomfort and administrative challenges for ticket examiners.
- Fairness Issues: Passengers are currently required to pay the full fare despite not receiving a full, private sleeping berth.
Parliamentary Committee Calls RAC "Unjustified"
The issues surrounding the RAC system were recently highlighted by a parliamentary panel, the Public Accounts Committee. In a report tabled in February, the committee labeled the current RAC arrangement as "unjustified." The panel has urged the Ministry of Railways to develop a mechanism that provides partial fare refunds to passengers who do not receive a full sleeping berth.
Potential Alternatives Being Explored
As the Railway Board conducts its review, several alternatives are being considered to replace or improve the current system. These options include:
- Providing Full Berths: Ensuring every passenger with a reservation receives a dedicated sleeping space.
- Reduced Fare Structure: Implementing a lower fare for those holding RAC tickets to better reflect the shared nature of the berth.
- Enhanced Upgrade Mechanisms: Introducing new arrangements to improve the process of upgrading passengers to confirmed berths.
While these discussions are actively underway, officials have confirmed that as of November 13, 2026, no final decision has been reached regarding the official abolition of the RAC system. The review remains ongoing as the organization seeks to balance operational efficiency with passenger convenience and system equity.