What is the Logic behind RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) Seats in Indian Railways, when there already is a system of waitlisted tickets?

The logic behind RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) seats in Indian Railways is designed to provide a more assured travel experience compared to waitlisted tickets, while still managing the availability of seats efficiently.

Key Differences from Waitlisted Tickets

• Guarantee of Travel: An RAC ticket ensures that the passenger can travel, although it does not guarantee a full berth. In contrast, a waitlisted (WL) ticket only grants the passenger entry into the coach but does not assure a seat35.
• Shared Berth: With an RAC ticket, passengers are allocated a shared berth, typically split between two RAC ticket holders. This means that even if a full berth is not available, the passenger can still travel by sharing the space135.

How RAC Tickets Work

• Allocation of Berths: If there are last-minute cancellations, unsold quotas, or if confirmed ticket holders receive upgrades, an RAC ticket can be converted into a confirmed berth. The berth is initially shared, but if one of the RAC ticket holders gets a confirmed berth, the other can then use the full berth135.
• Priority Over Waitlisted Tickets: RAC tickets have priority over waitlisted tickets. If a confirmed ticket is cancelled, the RAC ticket holders are the first to be upgraded to a confirmed berth before any waitlisted tickets are considered35.

Status Updates

• Dynamic Status: The status of an RAC ticket can change up until the train's departure. The chart preparation, which usually happens on the day of the train's departure, can update the RAC status to confirmed if there are cancellations or other changes35.

Preference Over Waitlisted Tickets

• Travel Assurance: While waitlisted tickets offer no guarantee of a seat, RAC tickets provide at least a shared seat, making them preferable for passengers, especially on longer journeys or in time-critical situations35.

In summary, the RAC system is designed to offer a more reliable travel option than waitlisted tickets by ensuring that passengers can board the train and have a shared berth, with the possibility of being upgraded to a full berth if cancellations occur. This system helps in optimizing seat utilization and providing better travel assurance to passengers.