New Railway Rules From May 1: Here's Everything You Need To Know
From May 1, 2025, Indian Railways has implemented a new rule prohibiting passengers with waitlisted tickets from boarding Sleeper and AC coaches.
The move is said to streamline train travel and ensure the comfort and safety of passengers with confirmed reservations.
According to railway officials, the new rule strictly bars waitlisted passengers from entering or occupying seats in reserved coaches.
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If found in violation, such passengers may be penalised or asked to shift to the general compartment, where unreserved travel is permitted. The penalty will be ₹250 for sleeper class and ₹440 for AC coaches.
This change addresses a long-standing issue where passengers with waitlisted tickets would often board reserved coaches in the hope of finding a vacant berth or negotiating with other travellers. The Indian Railways has clarified that this practice is no longer permitted under the updated guidelines.
For tickets booked online via the IRCTC platform, any unconfirmed ticket will now be automatically cancelled at the time of final chart preparation. Passengers holding such tickets will not be allowed to board reserved sections of the train.
The revised policy is said to be part of Indian Railways’ effort to maintain order within trains, reduce overcrowding, and improve the overall passenger experience.
Travellers are advised to check their ticket status before boarding and make alternative arrangements if their tickets remain on the waiting list.
The Advance Reservation Period (ARP) for train ticket bookings has been shortened from 120 days to 60 days. Passengers can now reserve tickets up to 60 days in advance, compared to the earlier limit of four months.
Additionally, IRCTC has implemented an OTP-based mobile number verification system for all tickets booked through its website or mobile app.
From now on, users will be required to verify their mobile number each time they book a ticket online. This new step may pose challenges for last-minute travellers and those less familiar with digital procedures.
