Indian Railways May Change RAC Ticket Rules, Partial Fare Refund for Passengers Under Consideration

November 15, 2026 (Udaipur Kiran): Indian Railways may introduce changes to the rules governing Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) tickets, potentially offering relief to passengers who have to share a berth during their journey.

According to a report by The Times of India, railway officials are discussing changes to the RAC ticket system, including the possibility of revising how fares are charged and seats are allotted. One proposal under consideration is to provide a partial refund to passengers who do not get a full berth even after the reservation chart is prepared.

However, the Railways has not taken a final decision on the proposal.

Why Is the Railway Considering Changes to RAC Tickets?

Under the existing system, passengers holding RAC tickets are allowed to travel on the train and must pay the full ticket fare.

However, if their tickets remain RAC after chart preparation, two passengers are allotted space on a single sleeper berth. This means neither passenger gets an entire berth to themselves, even though both pay the full fare.

The arrangement can cause inconvenience, particularly when no vacant berth is available on the train. Ticket-checking staff may also have no alternative seat to offer in such situations.

Partial Fare Refund for RAC Passengers Under Discussion

Railway officials are reportedly discussing whether passengers should be charged the full fare when they do not receive a complete berth.

The issue also involves the difficulty of accommodating two unrelated passengers on the same berth, especially during long journeys.

A possible solution being considered is to refund part of the fare to passengers who continue to travel on RAC status without receiving a full berth.

Parliamentary Committee Had Also Recommended a Refund

The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee had raised concerns about the RAC ticket system in its report submitted in February 2026.

The committee observed that charging the full fare from an RAC passenger who does not receive a full berth even after chart preparation was not appropriate.

It recommended that the Railway Ministry consider introducing a mechanism to refund a portion of the fare to such passengers.

No Final Decision Yet: Existing Rules Continue

Despite the discussions and the committee’s recommendation, the Railways has not announced any final decision on changing RAC ticket rules.

For now, the existing system remains in force. Passengers travelling on RAC tickets must continue to pay the full fare and may have to share a sleeper berth if their tickets are not confirmed.

Any change will depend on the Railway Ministry’s final decision.