Indian Railway IRCTC Train Ticket – If your ticket is not confirmed, travelling in a reserved coach can now cost you. From May 1, 2025, Indian Railways has enforced new rules to make train travel stricter.
Passengers with waiting list tickets are no longer allowed to travel in reserved coaches like Sleeper, 3AC, 2AC, or other AC classes.
Only Confirmed Tickets Allowed in Reserved Coaches
Railways has clearly stated that only passengers with fully confirmed tickets can travel in reserved compartments.
If your ticket is still on the waiting list after the final chart is prepared, you cannot board the train.
If you still board a reserved coach, the TTE can fine you and may ask you to get down at the next station.
What If Some Tickets Are Confirmed and Some Are Waiting?
Let’s say you booked 4 tickets, and only 2 got confirmed while the other 2 are still waiting.
If the waiting tickets don’t get confirmed or at least get RAC status after the chart is prepared, they will be automatically cancelled. For online bookings, the refund will go to your account automatically.
Online Waiting List Ticket
According to IRCTC rules, if all tickets are in waiting even after the chart is prepared, the entire booking is cancelled automatically. The full amount is refunded with no deduction.
Counter Waiting List Ticket
For tickets bought at a railway counter, you must manually cancel the ticket.
You can do this through the IRCTC website, by calling 139, or by visiting the nearest railway counter. To get your refund, you’ll need to submit the original paper ticket.
Want to Travel with a Waiting Ticket?
If you still want to travel, you’ll need to buy a general ticket and travel in an unreserved general coach.
You can buy a general ticket either at the station or using the UTS mobile app. Travelling in a general coach without a proper ticket is illegal and may result in a fine or even jail, as per Section 137 of the Railway Act.
Penalties If Caught in Reserved Coach with Waiting Ticket
If you’re found travelling in a reserved coach with just a waiting ticket:
You’ll be fined ₹250 in a Sleeper coach
₹440 in an AC coach
Plus, you’ll have to pay the fare from your boarding station to the next station
And you may be removed from the train
Why This Rule Was Introduced
Railways made this change because there were many cases—often shared on social media—where passengers with confirmed tickets couldn’t sit on their seats as others with waiting tickets had occupied them. This led to fights and discomfort during travel.
Now, Indian Railways has made it clear: Travelling in a reserved coach without a valid, confirmed ticket is illegal, even if someone in your group has a confirmed seat.
Passengers are advised to check their ticket status before boarding. If it’s still on the waiting list, travel with a general ticket only.
