With the introduction of Amrit Bharat II Express trains beginning in January 2026, Indian Railways has announced a significant modification to its long-distance travel policy. This includes considerable changes to ticketing standards, most notably the elimination of Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) in Sleeper class. This action represents a significant advancement in the continuous endeavor to improve passenger convenience, cost, and transparency throughout its network, particularly for travelers who choose traditional, non-premium services.
The RAC provision, which has traditionally let passengers to embark with partial confirmation typically including shared berths or standing space will be withdrawn for these new Amrit Bharat trips in accordance with the Railway embark’s updated ticketing criteria. Rather, starting on the first day of the Advance Reservation Period (ARP), every available berth will be fully confirmed, removing any doubt over seats and enhancing the overall travel experience for passengers in Sleeper class.
RAC Abolition and Its Impact on Travellers
RAC tickets, which let passengers to travel even when berths aren’t entirely assured, have been an essential component of Indian Railways reservations for decades. However, the potential for sharing space or being housed in cramped quarters frequently caused hardship for travelers. A simple confirmed-berth model has taken the place of this method with the launch of Amrit Bharat II Express trains, simplifying the booking procedure and establishing clear expectations for individuals arranging travel in Sleeper class.
Under the new rules:
- No RAC tickets will be issued for Sleeper class travel on these trains.
- All berths will be confirmed at the start of the ARP, meaning passengers know exactly what they will receive when they book.
- Standard reservation quotas such as for Ladies, Persons with Disabilities (PwD) and Senior Citizens — will continue to apply, but additional or special quotas will no longer generate partial confirmations.
The abolition of RAC has been introduced alongside broader fare and ticketing reforms aimed at enhancing affordability without compromising revenue sustainability for extended connectivity. Railway officials believe that a confirmed-berth system will reduce confusion and complaints associated with shared seating, ultimately improving the travel experience for millions of passengers.
Updated Fare Structure and Ticket Rules:
In addition to eliminating RAC, Indian Railways has updated its Amrit Bharat II Express tariff structure to offer a more open pricing system. In order to reduce ticket costs and guarantee the long-distance operations’ financial sustainability while maintaining fair fares for travelers, these modifications include a minimum charged distance for fare calculation.
Key fare updates include:
- Sleeper class passengers will now be charged for a minimum distance of 200 km, even if the journey is shorter. For this category, the base fare for up to 200 km is ₹149 before adding reservation fees and other applicable charges.
- Second class travellers will have a minimum chargeable distance of 50 km, with the base fare set at ₹36 for that segment.
- Applicable additional charges such as reservation fees, superfast surcharges and GST will be levied separately at the time of booking.
These revisions aim to streamline the fare structure and ensure passengers pay reasonable and predictable amounts while enabling Railways to cover operational costs for long journeys. The clarity offered by defined minimum chargeable distances is expected to reduce confusion for passengers comparing multiple travel options.
In addition to fare and reservation changes, the Railway Board has updated refund policies and strongly encouraged digital payments when booking tickets. Digital payments allow refunds to be processed within 24 hours of cancellation, enhancing convenience for passengers. Those unable to pay digitally at a counter will receive refunds under the standard process, ensuring no one is disadvantaged by payment method limitations.
Enhanced Passenger Comfort and Accessibility:
The Railway Board is also placing a renewed emphasis on passenger comfort and accessibility with its policy changes for Amrit Bharat II Express services. One notable update is the lower-berth allocation preference for specific travellers:
- Children who do not require separate berths, senior citizens, and women aged 45 and above will be prioritised for lower berths where possible. This policy underscores Railways’ intent to support vulnerable and special-needs passengers, making journeys more comfortable and secure.
As part of its larger modernization plan, Indian Railways has positioned the Amrit Bharat family of trains to provide dependable, reasonably priced, and inclusive long-distance connectivity throughout the nation. With the addition of Amrit Bharat II Express services, these trains have been expanded to offer contemporary amenities and clear pricing without the occasionally unstable dynamics of premium services.
Officials have noted that fares for these services generally work out to about ₹500 per 1,000 km for long journeys, a competitive rate for non-AC travel that balances accessibility for everyday travellers with the sustainability of extended route operations. With passengers assured of confirmed berths and clear pricing structures, the Amrit Bharat II trains are expected to appeal broadly to long-distance travellers seeking value and convenience.
Modern and Inclusive Rail Travel:
With the elimination of RAC tickets, new tariff standards, revised refund rules, and improved passenger facilities, the launch of Amrit Bharat II Express services in 2026 signifies an enormous shift in Indian Railways’ reservation and travel experience. For millions of passengers, the national transporter is making rail travel more transparent and user-friendly by simplifying reservations, ensuring confirmed berths, and lowering rates.
Travelers should expect a more reliable and enjoyable travel experience as the implementation continues over several routes connecting locations nationally. A significant turning point in Railways’ long-term plan to update traditional express services while preserving affordability is the emphasis on uniform ticketing standards and passenger-centric initiatives.Indian Railways has demonstrated its commitment to adapting to customer expectations and contemporary travel standards with these modifications, which will go into effect in January 2026. This evolution has the potential to completely transform long-distance rail travel in the years to come.
