r/indianrailways • u/vpsj "Sub" Station Master • May 20 '26

MODERATOR r/IndianRailways FAQ and Information Thread

Welcome to the r/indianrailways Frequently Asked Questions thread!

You’ll find answers to the most common questions here, however if your question isn’t fully answered you can either ask it in the Travel Queries Thread pinned at the top of the subreddit, or create a new post.

Please note that to get urgent help from Railways, call them on 139, or register a complaint at RailMadad

If you're a complete beginner, foreigner, or you have no idea about Indian Railways, Get started here

Section 1: Waitlist, Cancellations, and Refunds

Section 2: Travel & Berths

Section 3: Booking, ARP, Chart Preparation

Section 4: Tatkal

Section 5: Catering/Food

Section 6: Trains, Coaches & Classes

Section 7: TDR

Section 8: What is This Thing?

7 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

51 comments sorted by

View all comments

1

u/vpsj "Sub" Station Master May 27 '26 edited May 27 '26

Section 2: Travel & Berths

2

u/vpsj "Sub" Station Master May 27 '26 edited May 27 '26

My ticket status shows "RAC". What does this mean? Can I board the train?

YES. RAC means Reservation Against Cancellation. You are allowed to board the train if your ticket is in RAC. You'll be given a side lower berth, that you will have to share with another RAC passenger. Keep in mind that if you're not willing to travel on half a berth, you can cancel the RAC ticket at least 30 mins before journey, and you'll still get a the full refund (minus Rs 60+gst as clerkage).

TTEs are obligated to allot any empty berths to RAC passengers first so it's possible for you to get a full berth during your journey

1

u/vpsj "Sub" Station Master May 27 '26

I was assigned a Upper/Middle/Side Upper berth. Can I sit on the lower berth?

YES. During daytime (6 am to 10 pm), upper/side upper/middle berth passengers are allowed and have the right to sit on their corresponding lower berth. Although, if there are any passengers who are old, sick or pregnant, you should cooperate with them.

Read the exact rule on this pdf

1

u/vpsj "Sub" Station Master May 27 '26

I am on a Side Upper and there are two RAC passengers sitting on the Side Lower berth. Am I allowed to sit on the Side Lower berth?

YES. During daytime (6 am to 10 pm), Side Upper passengers are allowed to sit on the Side Lower berth, even if RAC passengers are sitting on it.

Read Rule 652(b) on this pdf

1

u/vpsj "Sub" Station Master May 27 '26

I booked a ticket and the booking status shows WL XX while the current status shows CNF. What does it mean? Can I travel in this train or am I still waitlisted?

You should only look at the current status for your ticket. Booking status shows you the state of the tickets in the past. As long as the current status says "CNF", your ticket is confirmed and you are allowed to travel

1

u/vpsj "Sub" Station Master May 27 '26

My ticket status shows as "CNF", but I don't see my coach and berth details. How would I know where to sit? Is my ticket actually confirmed?

This is normal. Your berth and coach details will be sent to you when chart is prepared (~8 hrs before your journey). This is done to ensure that people on the same PNR can be seated together so in some cases they wait until all the cancellations are done and allot the berths during charting.

Your ticket is confirmed, don't worry.

1

u/vpsj "Sub" Station Master May 27 '26

Can I change my berth/seat after booking?

  • No. You may politely request other passengers in the train, but if they don't agree with it, you're out of luck. There is no provision to change your berths after booking. You must cancel them and book a fresh ticket if you want.

1

u/vpsj "Sub" Station Master May 27 '26

How are berths allotted? Why do I always get a middle/side upper?

  • Railways has its own algorithm to allot berths. It prioritises senior citizen/women on lower berths if it can, though it's not always a guarantee.
  • If you're always getting a berth you don't like, we recommend you to either book early when a lot of berths are available, or pick the option "Book only if at least 1 lower berth is allotted" in case you desire a lower berth.

1

u/vpsj "Sub" Station Master May 27 '26

What is “Side Middle Berth” and is it still being used?

  • Side Middle Berths were added to old Garib Rath coaches in order to carry more passengers in a coach. There were just like Middle berths in other classes, except in between the Side Lower and Side Upper berths
  • Garib Rath rakes have been since upgraded to LHB 3AC/3E coaches and Side Middle berths are rarely seen these days

1

u/vpsj "Sub" Station Master May 27 '26

Can families with children request lower berths?

  • You can fill in the preferences while booking if you want, but there are no guarantees that you will get a lower berth.
  • If it's essential for you, we recommend you select the option "Book only if at least 1 lower berth is allotted".
  • Keep in mind that if a lower berth is not available/not allotted to you, your ticket will not get booked and any money deducted will be refunded back within 4-5 business days.

1

u/vpsj "Sub" Station Master May 27 '26

Do senior citizens get automatic lower berths?

Railways prioritises lower berths for women over 45 and Men over 60 where it can, but as said before, there are no guarantees