The Ministry of Railways is thinking about a major change in the rules for online waiting list tickets. Currently, e-tickets that stay on the waiting list after chart preparation are cancelled automatically. The government may change this to help millions of passengers who book tickets through IRCTC.
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How will the proposed rule change help passengers?
If this proposal gets approval from the Railway Board, online waiting tickets will not be auto-cancelled. This means passengers can use their waiting e-tickets to travel in general coaches, just like people who buy waiting tickets from station counters. This will save passengers from buying separate general tickets during busy travel seasons.
What are the current rules for waiting tickets?
As per the rules effective from May 1, 2025, passengers with waiting tickets are not allowed to travel in Sleeper or AC coaches. They can only travel in general coaches. If caught in reserved coaches, they may face these penalties:
| Coach Class | Penalty Amount |
|---|---|
| Sleeper Class | Up to ₹250 plus full fare |
| AC Class | Up to ₹440 plus full fare |
Other recent IRCTC and Railway updates
- The Advance Reservation Period has been reduced to 60 or 90 days.
- OTP verification is now mandatory for all online bookings to increase security.
- Confirmed ticket cancellation rules changed in April 2026 with a tiered refund system.
- No refund is given if a confirmed ticket is cancelled less than 8 hours before departure.
- Counter tickets can now be cancelled at any station counter.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What happens to online waiting tickets currently?
Currently, if an e-ticket remains fully waitlisted after the chart is prepared, it is automatically cancelled and the refund is sent to the passenger’s account.
Can I travel in AC coach with a waiting ticket?
No, passengers with waiting tickets are only allowed in general coaches. Traveling in Sleeper or AC coaches can lead to fines of ₹250 to ₹440 plus the full fare.