Indian Railways has made significant changes to its ticket booking rules, effective from March 1, 2025. According to the new rules, passengers will no longer be allowed to travel in Sleeper or AC coaches with a waiting ticket. These changes have been introduced to improve the booking process, enhance ticket confirmation chances, and ensure a more organized travel experience for passengers. Let’s understand these new rules in detail.
Changes in Advance Reservation Period
- The advance reservation period has been reduced from 120 days to 60 days.
- This reduction will help passengers plan their journeys more efficiently.
- It will also reduce the issue of long waiting lists.
- The number of “no-show” passengers will decrease, ensuring better seat allocation.
New Rule for Waiting Tickets
- Waiting tickets will now be valid only for General coaches.
- Passengers with waiting tickets will not be allowed to travel in reserved Sleeper or AC coaches.
- Fines for traveling with a waiting ticket in reserved coaches:
- AC coach: A fine of up to ₹440 plus the fare to the next station.
- Sleeper coach: A fine of up to ₹250 plus the fare to the next station.
New Rules for Tatkal Ticket Booking
Indian Railways has also modified the Tatkal ticket booking process:
- AC class tickets can be booked from 10:00 AM.
- Non-AC class tickets can be booked from 11:00 AM.
- This change will help passengers who need last-minute tickets by increasing the chances of getting a confirmed seat.
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Major Changes in Refund Policy
- Refunds will now be provided only in special cases, such as:
- If the train is canceled.
- If the train is delayed by more than 3 hours.
- This change aims to reduce inconvenience for passengers and prevent ticket blocking by agents.
AI-Based Seat Allocation
- Indian Railways will use AI technology to allocate seats more efficiently.
- This will improve the booking experience and ensure faster seat assignments for passengers.
Special Facility for Foreign Tourists
- Foreign travelers can book tickets up to 365 days in advance.
- This will help them plan their long journeys more conveniently.
- The new rules will make the booking process faster, more transparent, and hassle-free for foreign tourists.
These changes have been introduced to make train travel smoother, more efficient, and fairer for all passengers.