Railway Board Revises 25% Cap On Waiting List Tickets Following Public Outcry

In a major policy reversal, the Railway Board has revised its earlier decision to cap waiting list tickets at 25 percent, following growing public outcry and concerns over reduced ticket availability. The latest directive, issued on June 28, now allows a significantly higher cap — 60 percent for air-conditioned (AC) classes and 30 percent for non-air-conditioned (non-AC) classes, including at both originating and roadside stations.

About Th New Order

This new order supersedes the earlier directive dated April 17, 2025, which had limited the waiting list quota to just 25 percent of the redefined capacity across all classes. The move was initially aimed at improving the travel experience of reserved-class passengers. However, the stringent cap led to a steep drop in waiting list ticket availability, triggering dissatisfaction among travelers and prompting passenger associations to raise concerns.

Responding to the feedback, the Railway Board partially relaxed the policy, initially increasing the waiting list quota to 30 percent for sleeper class and 60 percent for AC class. With the latest update, the board has formalized this revision as part of its official policy.

The June 28 circular also mentions a provision for waiting list ticket issuance from remote locations that have no designated berths. In such cases, specific limits will be pre-defined based on regional demand patterns to ensure balanced access.

Importantly, the revised waiting list caps will not apply to tickets issued under concessional fares or government travel warrants. This ensures continued priority for vulnerable and eligible categories such as senior citizens, defence personnel, and other beneficiaries.

The Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) has been assigned to implement the necessary software updates to accommodate the new policy. "All Zonal Railways will be notified by CRIS regarding the date of implementation. Railway authorities have been instructed to ensure wide dissemination of the changes to relevant personnel for a smooth transition," stated the letter issued by the railway board.