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RAC stands for Reservation Against Cancellation. It is a ticket booking option provided by Indian Railways that lets passengers reserve a seat even when all confirmed tickets are sold out. RAC tickets guarantee you a spot on the train, though it may initially be a shared seat.
This guide explains how RAC works, along with its benefits, drawbacks, and other useful information to help you understand this reservation system better.
What is the full form of RAC?
The full form of RAC is Reservation Against Cancellation. It is often called a conditional reservation because you receive a confirmed seat only if there are cancellations from already confirmed passengers.
Many travellers prefer to book tickets well in advance. According to Indian Railways guidelines, reservations can be made up to 120 days before the travel date. Due to frequent schedule changes, some passengers cancel their tickets. When this happens, passengers holding RAC tickets have a chance to get their status upgraded to a confirmed ticket, ensuring a more comfortable and smoother journey.
What is RAC?
RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) is a type of train ticket that offers a conditional booking. If a confirmed ticket is cancelled, the RAC passenger may be upgraded to a confirmed berth. Until then, RAC ticket holders are allowed to travel but usually have to share a seat with another RAC passenger, meaning they do not get a full seat or berth to themselves initially.
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How Does RAC Work?
When booking train tickets, there are generally two main categories: confirmed tickets and RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) tickets. Here’s how it works:
- Ticket Booking: Each coach has a fixed number of confirmed berths. Once these are filled, RAC tickets are issued to passengers.
- Shared Berths: With an RAC ticket, you get a reserved seat, but you’ll need to share a berth with another RAC passenger.
- Chance for Confirmation: If confirmed ticket holders cancel their bookings, RAC passengers are upgraded and may get a full berth to themselves.
Things to Consider with RAC Tickets
While RAC tickets are useful, there are a few important points to remember:
- No Assured Full Berth: Until your ticket gets confirmed, you won’t have a dedicated seat or berth.
- Shared Seating: You’ll need to share your seat with another RAC passenger, which can be less comfortable.
- Sleeping Adjustments: If your berth doesn’t get confirmed, you may have to adjust your sleeping arrangements during the journey.
Advantages of RAC tickets
RAC tickets offer several advantages:
- Guaranteed Travel: Unlike Waiting List (WL) tickets, RAC tickets ensure you can board the train.
- Higher Availability: RAC tickets are usually easier to get, especially during peak travel seasons.
- Upgrade Opportunity: If other passengers cancel, you have a good chance of being upgraded to a full confirmed berth.
Limitations of RAC tickets
While RAC tickets offer the advantage of guaranteed travel, they also come with certain limitations that passengers should be aware of before booking:
- No Full Berth Guarantee: RAC tickets allow you to board the train but do not guarantee a full berth. You may only get half of a seat or share a berth with another RAC passenger unless your ticket gets confirmed after cancellations.
- Shared Seating Arrangements: RAC passengers have to share a seat/berth with another person. This often leads to limited space and can make long journeys uncomfortable, especially on overnight trips.
- Less Comfort During the Journey: Since you don’t get an exclusive berth, your rest and sleep quality may be compromised. You may need to adjust your sitting or sleeping posture during the journey.
- Dependent on Cancellations: Whether your RAC ticket gets upgraded to a confirmed berth depends on last-minute cancellations by other passengers, which is not guaranteed.
- No Fixed Seat Until Charting: Your seat or berth number may change depending on cancellations up to final chart preparation, leading to uncertainty till the last moment.
- Not Suitable for Families or Senior Citizens: RAC tickets are generally not ideal for senior citizens, children, or families, as sharing berths can be tiring and inconvenient during long trips.
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FAQs on RAC Full Form
Is RAC a confirmed ticket?
RAC is a partially confirmed ticket; it guarantees you can travel but not a full berth, unless upgraded after cancellations.
What is RAC full form?
RAC stands for Reservation Against Cancellation, a booking system used by Indian Railways to allow travel when all confirmed seats are booked.
Can I sleep in a RAC ticket?
You can sleep only if your RAC ticket is upgraded to a full berth; otherwise, you will have to share a seat with another passenger.
Is RAC better than WL?
Yes, RAC is better than WL (Waiting List) because RAC guarantees travel, while WL passengers cannot board if their ticket isn’t confirmed.
Is a RAC ticket refundable?
Yes, you can cancel a RAC ticket and receive a refund as per Indian Railways cancellation rules, usually after deducting minimal charges.
How to avoid a RAC ticket?
To avoid RAC, book early (up to 120 days before travel), choose less crowded trains, or travel during non-peak seasons.
How many seats are in RAC?
Typically, each coach has around 14-20 RAC seats (7-10 lower berths split for two passengers each), though it varies by train type and class.
