In a landmark move to end the frustration of millions of train passengers stuck on long waiting lists, Indian Railways has unveiled a new booking policy that limits the number of waiting list tickets to just 25% of total available seats on every train.
This measure, which will soon be implemented nationwide, aims to improve the probability of passengers securing confirmed tickets and prevent overcrowding in reserved coaches — a persistent issue during peak travel periods.
What the New Rule Means for Passengers
Under the new guideline, only 25% of the available general seats (post-quota deductions) will be reserved for waiting list bookings across all travel classes — including AC First, AC Two-Tier, AC Three-Tier, Sleeper, and Chair Car.
Example:
If a train has 400 seats available after reserved quotas for women, senior citizens, and foreign nationals, only 100 waiting list tickets can now be booked.
This change applies to regular, Tatkal, and remote location bookings, while government warrant and concessional fare tickets remain unaffected.
Railway officials have emphasized that the goal is to make ticketing more transparent and predictable, ensuring that passengers know their booking status well before the journey.
Previous Waiting List System
Earlier, as per the 2013 rules, Indian Railways allowed a much higher waiting list quota, leading to uncertainty and overcrowding. The earlier limits were:
- AC First Class: 30 tickets
- AC Two-Tier: 100 tickets
- AC Three-Tier: 300 tickets
- Sleeper Class: 400 tickets
Now, zonal railways will decide class-wise caps based on local travel patterns and cancellation trends.
Benefits of the New Policy
The change is expected to bring several tangible benefits for travellers:
- Higher chances of confirmed tickets
- Reduced crowding in reserved compartments
- Better passenger experience and safety
- Smoother operations during festival rushes like Diwali and Chhath
Implementation Underway
The Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) is already updating the ticketing software to integrate the new system. An official rollout date will be announced shortly.
By prioritising certainty and comfort, Indian Railways hopes to transform the passenger experience, ending decades of chaos linked to overbooked trains and long waiting lists.
