Indian Railways has made an important change in its rules. Starting May 1, 2025, passengers with waiting list tickets will not be allowed to travel in sleeper or AC coaches.
This rule applies to all waiting tickets, whether bought online or from a ticket counter. Those holding waiting tickets will only be allowed to travel in general unreserved compartments.
If anyone with a waiting ticket is found in a reserved coach like sleeper or AC, they will face penalties.
Fines for Traveling in Reserved Coaches with Waiting Tickets
If caught in a sleeper coach with a waiting ticket, a fine of up to ₹250 will be charged.
If caught in an AC coach, the fine can go up to ₹440.
In addition, the Ticket Checking Staff (TTE) has the authority to deboard such passengers at the next station.
They can also collect the fare from the station where the passenger boarded to the next stop.
Ticket Booking Window Reduced to 60 Days
Another major change is the reduction in the ticket booking period. Earlier, passengers could book train tickets 120 days (4 months) in advance.
Now, bookings can only be made 60 days (2 months) ahead of the journey date.
Mobile OTP Required for Online Bookings
From now on, passengers booking tickets online through the IRCTC website or app must verify their booking using a mobile OTP (One-Time Password).
This step aims to prevent fake bookings and ticket misuse.
Indian Railways says these new rules are meant to reduce overcrowding in reserved coaches and provide passengers with a safer and more comfortable travel experience.
So, before you travel next time, make sure your ticket is confirmed.
If it’s still on the waiting list, avoid boarding sleeper or AC coaches—or you might face fines and be asked to get off the train.
