IRCTC 2025: No More Sleeper or AC Travel for Waiting List Passengers from May 1
From May 1, 2025, a big change has come into effect for Indian Railways passengers. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has banned waiting list passengers from traveling in Sleeper and AC coaches. This rule applies to all passengers, whether they book online or from ticket counters.
What has changed in the new IRCTC rule?
Until now, many passengers with waiting list tickets would board sleeper or AC coaches hoping to find a seat or adjust with the TTE. But from May 1, this practice has been stopped completely.
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As per the new rule, waiting list passengers cannot travel in Sleeper or AC coaches. They are only allowed in general (unreserved) compartments. Even if you have a valid waiting list ticket, reserved compartments are off-limits. This move aims to reduce crowding and improve the travel experience for passengers with confirmed seats.
What happens if someone breaks the rule?
Passengers found in violation of the new rule will face fines and removal from the coach. Here’s what you should know.
If a passenger with a waiting list ticket is caught traveling in Sleeper Class, they will be fined up to ₹250. In AC Class, the fine may go up to ₹440. Apart from this, they may also be charged the fare from their boarding point to the next station. TTEs have been instructed to strictly enforce this rule. Anyone caught in a reserved coach with a waiting list ticket will be deboarded and penalized on the spot.
Why is Indian Railways doing this?
According to reports, the main reason behind this change is to ease overcrowding in sleeper and AC coaches. Over the years, overcrowding has become a serious problem—affecting comfort, safety, and the overall journey experience.
By restricting waiting list passengers to unreserved coaches, IRCTC hopes to ensure only confirmed ticket holders use reserved compartments. This move will make travel smoother, especially for long-distance passengers, and help avoid disputes and confusion inside coaches.
Other changes passengers should note
Along with this rule, a few other important changes have also come into effect.
The Advance Reservation Period (ARP) has been reduced from 120 days to 60 days. This means passengers can now book tickets only two months in advance. OTP verification is now mandatory for all online bookings. This step has been taken to prevent misuse and improve booking security. The current ticket option remains available even after chart preparation, giving last-minute travelers another option if seats are still available.
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What should passengers do now?
If you’re planning to travel in AC or Sleeper classes, make sure your ticket is confirmed before the journey. If not, be ready to travel in the general coach.Waiting list passengers now have only one option. Travel in unreserved general coaches, which don’t require reservation.
This move may create some discomfort for unconfirmed travelers, but it’s a step towards better crowd control and improved passenger experience in reserved coaches.
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