Indian Railways Introduces New Waiting Ticket Limits for Comfortable Journeys
Starting June 1, 2026, Indian Railways has capped waiting tickets to reduce overcrowding, thereby improving travel comfort. With restrictions on the number of waiting tickets issued, passengers can expect smoother journeys in both AC and Sleeper coaches.
Highlights
- •Sleeper Class: Waiting ticket limit reduced to 30% seating capacity
- •AC Coaches: Restriction to 60% seating capacity for waiting tickets
- •Prohibition of unauthorized travelers in certain coach categories
- •Implementation of AI-based fraud detection system
Starting from June 1, 2026, Indian Railways introduces a significant change in the waiting ticket system. This move aims to reduce overcrowding and ensure more comfortable journeys for all passengers. The Railway Board has capped the number of waiting tickets issued, limiting Sleeper Class bookings up to only 30% of total seating capacity. On average, this means no more than 150 to 200 waiting tickets will be issued per train, significantly reducing overcrowding incidents.
AC Coaches: A New Restriction
Focusing not just on Sleeper Class, the Railway Board has also imposed new rules in the AC coaches. Prior to this change, up to 300 waiting tickets could be allotted in AC compartments; however, now only 60% of total seating capacity can issue these tickets. Passengers with confirmed reserved tickets are therefore expected to experience a much less congested journey.
A key reason for these new rules is the prevalence of ticket touts or brokers who often exploit the system by pre-booking multiple waiting tickets and then selling them at a higher price. With these changes, passengers holding waiting tickets will not be allowed entry into AC coaches or Sleeper cars unless they possess confirmed reserved tickets. Unauthorized travelers will face fines imposed by Ticket Examiners (TTE).
To further enhance the booking process, the Railways has also implemented an innovative AI-based system for fraud detection. This ensures that any bookings made in less than a second are flagged as suspicious and subject to additional checks.
