RAC Confirmation Chances : Will Your Ticket Get Confirmed?
You booked a train ticket and the status shows RAC. Now the big question – will it get confirmed before the journey? This guide answers everything about RAC confirmation chances in simple language.
What is RAC in Railway Ticket?
RAC stands for Reservation Against Cancellation. When you hold an RAC ticket, you are guaranteed a seat on the train. However, you have to share a side-lower berth with one other RAC passenger.
So RAC is not a waiting ticket. You can travel with an RAC ticket. But you will not get a full berth to yourself unless your ticket gets confirmed.
How Does RAC Confirmation Work?
RAC tickets get confirmed in two stages:
- Before Chart Preparation : Whenever a confirmed passenger cancels their ticket, the first RAC passenger automatically moves up to a confirmed berth.
- At Chart Preparation : The TTE (Travelling Ticket Examiner) looks at all vacant berths after the chart is prepared and allots them to RAC passengers in order.
RAC numbers go from RAC 1, RAC 2, RAC 3, and so on. RAC 1 gets confirmed first, then RAC 2, and so on in sequence.
RAC Confirmation Chances : Quick Reference Table
| RAC Number | Confirmation Chance | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| RAC 1 – RAC 5 | ✅ Very High (85–95%) | Almost always confirmed before or at chart |
| RAC 6 – RAC 15 | 🟡 High (65–85%) | Good chances, especially on busy routes |
| RAC 16 – RAC 30 | 🟠Moderate (40–65%) | Depends on cancellations and train occupancy |
| RAC 30+ | 🔴 Lower (20–40%) | Less likely, but possible on high-demand routes |
Note: These are general estimates. Actual confirmation depends on the train, route, date, and season.
What Affects Your RAC Confirmation Chances?
Several things can increase or decrease your chances of getting confirmed from RAC:
1. Train Type
Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and Vande Bharat trains tend to have fewer last-minute cancellations. Passenger and Express trains on short routes usually see more cancellations, which helps RAC passengers.
2. Route Popularity
Popular routes like Delhi – Mumbai, Delhi – Kolkata, and Chennai – Bengaluru have high occupancy. On these routes, RAC passengers below RAC 10 almost always get confirmed.
3. Day of the Week
Weekend trains and trains running on festival days are packed. Cancellations are fewer on these days. Midweek trains have slightly better RAC confirmation chances because more cancellations happen.
4. Tatkal Quota
When Tatkal tickets open (24 hours before departure), some passengers cancel their regular bookings to book Tatkal. This indirectly helps RAC passengers move up.
5. Time Left Before Departure
The earlier you check your PNR status, the better. Most cancellations happen 2 – 7 days before travel. If your RAC ticket is not confirmed by 1 day before departure, check again after chart preparation.
When is the Chart Prepared? How Does it Affect RAC?
Train charts are prepared in two rounds:
- First Chart : Prepared 4 hours before the train’s scheduled departure from its starting station.
- Final Chart : Prepared about 30 minutes before departure.
After the first chart, no new online bookings or cancellations are allowed. The TTE then manually allots vacant berths to RAC passengers. If any berth is still vacant after that, the TTE can give it to a waitlisted passenger or an unreserved passenger at their discretion.
RAC 1 vs RAC 2 : Which Berth Do You Get?
This is a very common confusion among passengers. Here is how it works:
RAC 1 and RAC 2 are assigned to the same side – lower berth. Both passengers share that one berth during the journey. When one of them gets a full berth confirmed, the other gets the side-lower to themselves.
Example: If RAC 1 gets confirmed and moves to an upper berth, RAC 2 now has the full side-lower berth.
Can You Travel with an RAC Ticket?
Yes. You are fully allowed to board the train with an RAC ticket. The TTE will show you your shared side-lower berth. You do not need to wait outside hoping for confirmation.
If your ticket does not get confirmed even after chart preparation, you may approach the TTE inside the train. If vacant berths are available, the TTE may allot one to you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
✅What happens if RAC ticket is not confirmed even after chart preparation?
You can still travel. You will share the side-lower berth with the other RAC passenger. Approach the TTE on board – if any passenger has not boarded, you may get that vacant berth.
✅Does RAC 1 always get confirmed?
Not always, but almost. RAC 1 has a very high confirmation rate of over 90% on most routes. The only exception is on very short-distance trains where very few cancellations happen.
✅Is RAC better than Waitlist (WL)?
Yes, RAC is much better than a waitlist ticket. With RAC, you are guaranteed travel and a seat. A WL ticket does not guarantee boarding at all if it does not get confirmed before chart preparation.
✅Can I cancel an RAC ticket?
Yes. You can cancel your RAC ticket online via IRCTC until chart preparation. After chart preparation, you need to surrender the ticket at the station counter and request a refund through a TDR (Ticket Deposit Receipt).
✅ What is the refund if I cancel an RAC ticket?
You will get a refund minus the cancellation charges. The earlier you cancel, the smaller the deduction. Cancelling after chart preparation gives a smaller refund compared to cancelling well in advance.
✅ How to check if RAC is confirmed?
Check your PNR status on the NTES app, IRCTC website, or any railway enquiry portal. The status will change from RAC to a specific coach and berth number once confirmed.
Also Read:
- Train Ticket Refund Procedures – Complete Guide
- Change Name and Change Boarding Station of Train Tickets
- Bank Money Debited but No Ticket Received
