Waitlist Ticket Rule: Indian Railways has taken a big decision to make a maximum limit of waiting tickets in long distance trains. This change has become effective from 16 June 2025. Under the new instructions of the Railway Board, now the waating ticket limit in sleeper, third AC (3AC), second AC (2AC) and first AC (1ac) coaches has been limited to 25% of the total berth.
The Railway Board has taken this step with the aim of increasing the increasing crowds at stations across the country and the chaos in trains. Now this quota will be applicable not only at the early station of the train, but also to the middle stations, from where passengers climb long distance trains.
What used to happen till now?
Till now the number of waiting tickets was different according to the zone of the railway. Waiting tickets were released up to 20-40% of the total seats in zones like Central and Western Railway. Many times this figure used to reach 500 to 700 waiting tickets, causing a situation like chaos and quarrels to board the train.
The Circular of the Railway Board states that this 25% waiting limit will also be implemented equally to the tickets issued from TATKAL quota and remote stations.
How will the rules work?
According to railway officials, if there are 72 berths in a 3AC coach, then only 18 waiting tickets can be issued after the booking is completed. It will be avoided from the huge crowd in the train. Earlier, due to more waiting tickets, the conditions like sleepers also used to go like a current coach.
The crowd will also be less on the platform
The new rule is also expected to provide relief to the Railway Protection Force (RPF). In fact, due to more waiting tickets, there was a lot of crowd on the platform during festivals and holidays. It was a lot of effort to handle it. However, now limited waiting tickets will be able to control the situation better.
Passengers will also get big relief
This change will not only reduce the crowd, but will also reduce the disputes between confirmed and waiting passengers. Earlier, the waiting list of passengers with confirmed tickets often used to debate on seats and other things. Many times there was a fight. Such debate is also expected to decrease due to the new rules.
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