Indian Railway Rules: Picture this, after waiting for months, you finally got your leave, booked a ticket with high hopes to return home, and then, as soon as the chart is prepared, you find out that your ticket is still in waiting or RAC status. In such cases, most people either cancel their trip or are compelled to travel in the overcrowded general compartment.
However, the truth is that even after the chart is made, numerous seats remain unoccupied on every train, which are quickly taken by some savvy traveler within a few hours. If you know where and how to find these available seats, you can secure a berth with a bedsheet to rest comfortably, even while the train is in motion, without any hassle.
Vacant berths from the IRCTC app/website
Once the chart is prepared, you can check in real-time which seats are available on your train via the IRCTC website or app. To do this, simply enter the train number or name in the Trains section and select the “Available Seats After Charting” option, which appears next to the Chart Prepared status, where you can find coach-wise berth details.
Occasionally, even after the train has left, some berths may still be vacant, and the TTE is the first to be aware of them. If you hold a RAC or waiting list ticket and the chart indicates that not all berths are filled, kindly approach the TTE as soon as you board the train; they often allocate vacant berths on a first-come, first-served basis.
According to railway rules, passengers who don’t board the train within the first few stations after it departs can have their seats offered to someone else later, so passengers boarding at intermediate stations also get a chance. So, if your luck and timing are right, you might even get a full berth on a running train, even with a waitlisted ticket.