Indian Railways Caps Waiting List Tickets at 25% of Coach Capacity

As of June 19, 2025, the Railway Board has implemented a new rule capping waiting-list tickets at 25% of commercially available berths per coach—across Sleeper, Second AC, Third AC, and Chair Car classes. This applies to all quotas including tatkal and remote bookings; concessional fare/group tickets are exempt

🛠️ Why It’s Needed

Previously, waiting lists could swell to over 300 in Sleeper class and 150+ in AC Chair Car—causing chaos during peak travel seasons like Diwali and Chhath. The cap is introduced to prevent such overbooking and streamline the boarding process

📏 6 Key Highlights

1. Uniform 25% Cap
   If a coach has 400 available berths after quota allocations (senior citizens, women, tourists), the waiting list is limited to 100 tickets timesofindia
2. Software-Driven Control
   CRIS systems will automatically enforce the cap across all train classes and quotas upon rollout.
3. Permanent Rule
   Originally piloted during festivals, this policy is now permanent across the network
4. All Classes Affected
   Includes Sleeper, 2AC, 3AC, and Chair Car, plus tatkal and remote-location bookings. Some ticket types remain exempt
5. TTE Enforcement
   TTEs may deny boarding or reassign coaches if someone with a wait-listed ticket exceeds this cap.
6. Better Boarding Discipline
   The rule aims to reduce confusion and crowding from unconfirmed travelers boarding reserved coaches.

🎯 What Travelers Should Expect

• Reduced Waiting Chaos: Smaller waitlists, fewer overbooked passengers.
• Know Your Chances: Waiting-list numbers capped at max 25% may improve confirmation odds.
• Plan Ahead: Still advisable to book early or consider general class for peak travel.
• Clearer Boarding Experience: Passengers with waitlisted tickets are less likely to crowd reserved coaches.

✅ Final Takeaway

With a clear limit on waitlisted bookings—max 25% of coach capacity—Indian Railways is improving efficiency, crowd management, and passenger experience. Implementation will depend on CRIS systems, but the rule is expected to simplify travel and reduce overcrowding for confirmed ticket holders.