RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation)

RAC stands for Reservation Against Cancellation, which is a process designed by Indian Railways to make maximum use of available train seats. This status comes into play when you want to book train tickets, and all the seats are reserved. It is not true if you are confused that passengers with RAC status cannot travel by train. You can expect reservations once the other passenger cancels their tickets at the last minute. You can certainly travel by train but cannot guarantee a full berth. Therefore, the cancelled tickets are assigned to passengers with RAC status. Read on to learn more about how to check RAC status and its benefits. 

RAC status holders can get confirmed tickets if there are last-minute cancellations or confirmed passengers get upgraded to the upper class. For example, if your PNR status for train ticket booking appears as RAC15/RAC2, the first number indicates the ticket's status at the time of booking, whereas the other is the current status. By tracking the RAC status, you can determine if you will get a confirmed seat or not. With RAC status, two passengers are assigned to the same side of the lower berth.

If tickets are cancelled in General Quota, then the RAC passengers are assigned the confirmed status. You can get a seat on the train but might have to share it with other passengers with RAC status. However, RAC passengers can get lucky to get a full berth if there is a progression in ticket cancellations. Note that passengers with RAC status can cancel their tickets 30 minutes before departure.

RAC is a train ticket status in Indian Railways. If you have RAC status, you can travel by train but need to share a seat with other passengers until you get a fully confirmed ticket. Since two passengers share a single berth, you will need more space to sleep on the berth. To check the RAC status, all you need is PNR number. Checking PNR status helps you plan your travel better. Follow the stepwise process to check the RAC status on redRail.

Step 1: Visit the redRail website or application.

Step 2: Log in using your IRCTC account details.

Step 3: Enter your 10-digit PNR number.

Step 4: Click on the "Check Status" button.

Step 5: The PNR status will be displayed on the screen.

Step 6: Save the PNR status for your future reference.

RAC status offers several benefits to passengers travelling by train.

• Passengers with RAC status have higher chances of travelling than waiting list passengers. They are allowed to board the train with RAC status and share berths with other passengers.
• You can travel by train even if your tickets are not fully confirmed. It allows you to take the journey regardless of not fully confirmed tickets and reach your destination hassle-free.
• With RAC status, you can sit in the side berth of the train with other passengers as they are assured of a full berth during the journey.
• Your train tickets can always be confirmed with RAC status. This happens when other passengers cancel or modify their train tickets, converting RAC to confirmed status.

Below are a few tips to guide you on how to book confirmed tickets in order to avoid the RAC status.

• Book in advance: Booking tickets in advance helps you confirm your tickets. During peak times, it is possible that all the tickets will be sold out, so it would be better if you could book your tickets well in advance.
• Look for other options: If you find it unlikely that your tickets will not be confirmed with RAC status, you can check for different travel dates. Also, you may find other trains providing guaranteed seats.
• Track ticket status: It is advisable to check or monitor ticket status regularly to see whether your tickets are confirmed. The status of your ticket keeps changing as you approach the travel date due to cancellations or other factors. You can plan your trip better by keeping informed about the RAC status.
• Stay informed about ticket policies: You must stay informed about tickets or cancellation policies. Understanding policies will help you make better decisions with ticket booking.

The Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) in Indian Railways ensures that passengers have a higher chance of obtaining a confirmed seat. While RAC ticket holders are initially allotted a shared seat, they are often upgraded to full berth status, especially if there are cancellations, providing a safety net for passengers. So, book your train tickets on redRail to gain a hassle-free travelling experience.