What is RAC in IRCTC?

What is RAC in IRCTC? RAC, or Reservation Against Cancellation, is a type of train ticket status in the Indian Railway system. When a ticket is booked under the RAC quota, it means the passenger is allowed to board the train and is guaranteed a seat, but not a full berth (sleeping space) unless it gets confirmed due to cancellations.

What is RAC in IRCTC?

Key Features of RAC in IRCTC

Guaranteed Seat:

• Passengers with RAC tickets are assured of a seat. If the ticket does not get fully confirmed, two RAC ticket holders share one berth, with each passenger getting a seat.

Potential for Confirmation:

• RAC tickets can get confirmed to full berths if other passengers cancel their confirmed tickets. This often happens as the departure date approaches or on the day of travel.

Berth Sharing:

• If the ticket remains in RAC status until the time of chart preparation, two passengers will share a single side lower berth in the sleeper class or AC 3-tier.

Priority over Waitlist:

• RAC tickets have a higher priority for confirmation compared to waitlisted tickets. When a berth becomes available, it is first allotted to RAC ticket holders before waitlisted passengers.

How RAC Works in IRCTC

Booking:

• When booking a train ticket, if all available seats/berths are already booked, the system starts issuing RAC tickets. These tickets indicate that the passenger is on the list for possible confirmation.

Chart Preparation:

• The final reservation chart is usually prepared a few hours before the train’s departure. During this time, many RAC tickets may get confirmed to full berths due to cancellations by other passengers.

Boarding the Train:

• If the ticket remains in RAC status, the passenger can board the train and use the seat provided. The seat number will be mentioned on the ticket.

Checking RAC Status

IRCTC Website/App:

• Log in to your IRCTC account and go to “Booked Ticket History” to check the current status of your RAC ticket.

PNR Status:

• You can also check the PNR status on the IRCTC website or app, or through SMS by sending your PNR number to the designated number (e.g., 139).

Summary

RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) tickets ensure that a passenger has a seat on the train but might not have a full berth unless there are cancellations. RAC passengers share a berth if their ticket does not get fully confirmed. This system helps in optimizing the use of available berths and seats in trains, ensuring that more passengers can travel even when there is high demand.

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