IRCTC Ticket Rule Changed: Sleeper Class Tickets Will No Longer Be Upgraded to First AC IRCTC Ticket Rule Changed: Sleeper Class Tickets Will No Longer Be Upgraded to First AC News IRCTC introdued auto-upgrade limitations to enhance travel experiences. Priyanshu Tripathi <html> <p style="text-align: justify;">Starting May 1, 2025, IRCTC has implemented strict rules prohibiting passengers with waitlisted tickets from traveling in Sleeper or AC coaches, introducing auto-upgrade limitations to enhance travel experiences.</p> <h2 style="text-align: justify;">Key Changes to the Sleeper Class Upgrade Policy</h2> <h3 style="text-align: justify;">Restriction on Waitlisted Passengers</h3> <p style="text-align: justify;">Passengers holding waitlisted tickets are no longer permitted to travel in Sleeper or Air-Conditioned (AC) coaches. They can only board general (unreserved) coaches</p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;">Penalties for Violations</h3> <p style="text-align: justify;">If found traveling in reserved coaches with a waitlisted ticket, passengers face fines:</p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li>Sleeper Class: Up to INR250</li> <li>AC Class: Up to INR440</li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;">Moreover, violators may also incur the fare from their boarding point to the next station for unauthorized travel</p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;">Auto-Upgrade Process</h3> <p style="text-align: justify;">The previous auto-upgrade feature, which allowed passengers to upgrade from Sleeper to higher classes when available, has been revised. Now, only two levels of upgrades are allowed, and Sleeper passengers will not be upgraded to First AC any longer. The new upgrade path is:</p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li>For Sleeper passengers: 2S→3A→2A→1A. Only those in 2A can receive upgrades to 1A while 3A and Sleeper ticket holders will not be elevated to First AC anymore</li> <li>Similarly, for seating class passengers: 2S → VS → CC → EC → EV → EA. Here as well, those who booked CC (Chair Car)</li> </ul> <h3 style="text-align: justify;">Changes in Booking Policies</h3> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li>The Advance Reservation Period (ARP) is now reduced from 120 days to 60 days, meaning tickets can be booked only two months in advance</li> <li>OTP verification is mandatory for all online ticket bookings to enhance security </li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;">Implications for PassengersThe enforcement of these new rules is aimed at improving travel conditions for passengers with confirmed reservations while curbing issues related to overcrowding. It is strongly advised for passengers to ensure they have confirmed tickets before attempting to board reserved coaches. Booking a general coach ticket remains an option for those unable to secure a confirmed reservation.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">This new policy represents a significant shift in Indian Railways' operational framework, promising a more organized and comfortable travel experience focused on confirmed ticket holders while accommodating issues related to waiting lists effectively.</p> </html>

IRCTC Ticket Rule Changed: Sleeper Class Tickets Will No Longer Be Upgraded to First AC

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May 21, 2025

Starting May 1, 2025, IRCTC has implemented strict rules prohibiting passengers with waitlisted tickets from traveling in Sleeper or AC coaches, introducing auto-upgrade limitations to enhance travel experiences.

Key Changes to the Sleeper Class Upgrade Policy

Restriction on Waitlisted Passengers

Passengers holding waitlisted tickets are no longer permitted to travel in Sleeper or Air-Conditioned (AC) coaches. They can only board general (unreserved) coaches

Penalties for Violations

If found traveling in reserved coaches with a waitlisted ticket, passengers face fines:

Sleeper Class: Up to INR250
AC Class: Up to INR440

Moreover, violators may also incur the fare from their boarding point to the next station for unauthorized travel

Auto-Upgrade Process

The previous auto-upgrade feature, which allowed passengers to upgrade from Sleeper to higher classes when available, has been revised. Now, only two levels of upgrades are allowed, and Sleeper passengers will not be upgraded to First AC any longer. The new upgrade path is:

For Sleeper passengers: 2S→3A→2A→1A. Only those in 2A can receive upgrades to 1A while 3A and Sleeper ticket holders will not be elevated to First AC anymore
Similarly, for seating class passengers: 2S → VS → CC → EC → EV → EA. Here as well, those who booked CC (Chair Car)

Changes in Booking Policies

The Advance Reservation Period (ARP) is now reduced from 120 days to 60 days, meaning tickets can be booked only two months in advance
OTP verification is mandatory for all online ticket bookings to enhance security

Implications for PassengersThe enforcement of these new rules is aimed at improving travel conditions for passengers with confirmed reservations while curbing issues related to overcrowding. It is strongly advised for passengers to ensure they have confirmed tickets before attempting to board reserved coaches. Booking a general coach ticket remains an option for those unable to secure a confirmed reservation.

This new policy represents a significant shift in Indian Railways' operational framework, promising a more organized and comfortable travel experience focused on confirmed ticket holders while accommodating issues related to waiting lists effectively.

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