Indian Railways RAC Ticket Rules are under review as the Railway Board considers possible changes to the decades-old system that allows two passengers to share one berth while paying the full ticket fare.
The review follows concerns about passenger comfort and whether the existing fare structure is fair.
According to reports, the Railway Board is examining different options, including providing full berths, reducing fares for passengers who have to share accommodation, or introducing a revised berth-allocation system.
The possibility of discontinuing the RAC facility has also been discussed.
However, no final decision has been announced. Passengers should continue to follow the existing reservation rules until Indian Railways issues an official notification.
Indian Railways RAC Ticket Rules: What Changes Are Being Considered?
The Railway Board is reportedly examining ways to address complaints from passengers who remain in the RAC category even after the final reservation chart is prepared.
Under the current arrangement, two RAC passengers may be allotted the same side-lower berth, which provides seating accommodation during the day and shared sleeping space at night.
One option being considered is to provide a full berth to each passenger instead of making two travellers share one. Another possibility is to charge a reduced fare when a passenger does not receive an individual sleeping berth.
The Railways may also examine changes to its berth-upgrade mechanism so that available accommodation can be allocated more efficiently.
These are options under consideration, not confirmed changes to the reservation system.
 Why Are RAC Ticket Passengers Paying Full Fare?
RAC stands for Reservation Against Cancellation. It is a reservation status that allows passengers to travel in reserved coaches even when confirmed berths are unavailable at the time of booking.
Under the existing system, two RAC passengers may share one side-lower berth. Both are permitted to board the train, but neither is guaranteed an individual full sleeping berth unless their ticket status is upgraded.
If a confirmed passenger cancels a booking and a berth becomes available, an RAC passenger may receive an upgrade, depending on availability and the applicable allocation rules.
However, if no berth becomes available, the passenger may have to complete the journey sharing the allotted space.
The main concern is that both passengers are charged the applicable full fare despite sharing the sleeping accommodation.
This has raised questions about whether the fare should be adjusted when a full berth is not provided.
Parliamentary Panel Had Also Raised the RAC Fare Issue
The debate over RAC fares is not new. In February 2026, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) questioned the practice of charging full fares to passengers who remained in the RAC category after chart preparation without receiving a full berth.
In its report on punctuality and travel time in Indian Railways, the committee recommended that the Railway Ministry develop a mechanism to provide a partial fare refund to affected passengers.
The recommendation highlighted the difference between the fare paid and the accommodation received by passengers who continue to share a berth. It also added to calls for reviewing the existing arrangement.
The committee’s recommendation was not itself a change in railway ticketing rules.
Any revised fare or refund arrangement would require action and an official announcement from the Railway Ministry.
Will Existing RAC Ticket Rules Change Immediately?
Passengers should not assume that the RAC system has already been discontinued or that reduced fares and automatic refunds are now available.
The latest reports indicate that the Railway Board is examining possible reforms, but a final decision and implementation details have not been announced.
Until an official update is issued, passengers should check their ticket status through the usual railway reservation channels and follow the rules applicable to their booking.
If the proposed review results in changes, the final announcement will clarify whether RAC tickets will continue, how berth sharing will work and whether passengers who do not receive full berths will be eligible for lower fares or partial refunds.
