What is RAC in railway ticket?

Travelling by train is one of the most popular and affordable way to explore world. However, while booking tickets, passengers often come across different ticket status such as confirmed, waiting List (WL) and RAC. Among these, RAC is one of the most confusing for many travelers.
If you've ever seen "RAC" on your ticket when you have booked and wondered what it actually means, then this guide will help you in understanding everything about RAC.

What Does RAC Mean in Railway Tickets?
RAC means Reservation Against Cancellation.
It is a special booking status in Indian Railways that allows passengers to travel even if they don't have fully confirmed berth.

Unlike waiting list tickets, RAC tickets are partially confirmed. This means:

1. you are allowed to board the train.
2. You are guarantee a seat but not a full berth.
3. You may get a full berth if other passengers cancel.

In short RAC is in middle between confirmed ticket and waiting list ticket.

How RAC works in Indian Railways.

Understand how RAC works can remove a lot of confusion. Here's a simple breakdown.

1. Seating Sharing System
      When your ticket is in RAC:
• You assigner a seat number.
• Typically, two passengers of RAC share one lower berth.
• During day it functions as a seating arrangement.
• At night, passengers take turns or adjust sleep accordingly.
2. Conversion to Confirmed Ticket
       As cancellation happens:
• RAC passengers are upgraded to confirmed status.
• The system follows priority order for confirmation of ticket.
• Earlier your RAC number, higher your chance of confirmation.
3. Chart Preparation
       Before the train departs:
• Final passengers chart are prepared.
• Many RAC ticket get confirmed at this time.

   Even after chart preparations:

• TTE (The Ticket Examiner) can allocate vacant berths if available.

Will RAC Ticket Get Confirmed?

This is one of the most common questions by passengers. Yes, RAC ticket get confirmed but not always.

Factors Affecting Confirmation:

• Train popularity: High demand trains have more cancellations as compared to less popular trains.
• Booking time: Earlier booked ticket has more chances are compared to ticket that are booked later.
• Travel season: Festivals and holidays reduce chances as there are more passengers at that time who wanted to travel.
• Route length: longer the router more the cancellations of tickers so more changes of ticket confirmation.

In most of the cases, a large percentage of RAC tickets are confirmed before train departure.

RAC Status After Chart Preparation

Many people think confirmation of ticket stops as soon as chart prepared but that's not true.

Even after the chart is prepared:

• RAC passengers can still be upgraded during the journey.
• TTE may assign vacant berths
• If passenger is not shown on the seat TTE may assign that seat

Advantages of RAC Ticket

RAC tickets come with several benefits that make them highly useful:

• You can board the train without any issue.
• Unlike waiting list tickets, you are assured a place to sit.
• Many RAC tickets get confirmed before or during the journey.
• No risk of ticket cancellation due to non-confirmation.

Disadvantages of RAC Tickets

Despite the advantages of RAC ticket, there are some limitations:

• You have to share your berth with another passenger.
• Sleeping can be uncomfortable, especially during night journey.
• Traveling with children or elderly people is hassle.