IRCTC Update: Indian Railways considers rule change for online waiting tickets

The Ministry of Railways is considering a major change in the auto-cancellation rules for online waiting tickets. This move could provide relief to nearly 11 crore passengers who face difficulties when their tickets remain waitlisted after the chart is prepared. Currently, such tickets are cancelled automatically, forcing passengers to buy new general tickets.

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How will the new waiting ticket rule work?

Under the proposed plan, if an online ticket remains in waiting status after the chart is prepared, it will not be fully cancelled. Instead, the railway may give it limited travel validity. This would allow passengers to travel in the General Coach using the same digital ticket, reducing the need to purchase a separate ticket at the station.

What is the current status of this proposal?

This proposal is currently awaiting final approval from the Railway Board. Since no official notification has been issued yet, the existing ticketing system remains in effect. Passengers must follow current rules until the ministry officially announces the change.

Other recent railway updates

• From June 1, 2026, passengers with waiting tickets are not allowed in Sleeper or AC coaches and must use General coaches.
• Fines for ticketless travel have increased from 250 rupees to 500 rupees.
• A new AI-based Passenger Reservation System (PRS) for waitlist prediction will be launched in phases from August 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

क्या अब ऑनलाइन वेटिंग टिकट ऑटो-कैंसिल नहीं होगा?

रेल मंत्रालय इस पर विचार कर रहा है कि चार्ट बनने के बाद भी टिकट पूरी तरह निरस्त न हो और यात्री उसी डिजिटल टिकट से जनरल कोच में यात्रा कर सके।

क्या यह नियम अभी लागू हो गया है?

नहीं, यह प्रस्ताव अभी रेलवे बोर्ड की मंजूरी का इंतजार कर रहा है। आधिकारिक नोटिफिकेशन आने तक पुराने नियम ही लागू रहेंगे।