Train RAC Ticket: Indian Railways has changed the rules of its new Amrit Bharat Express service, which will directly impact the way passengers book tickets and the fares. From January 2026, the updated Amrit Bharat trains will adopt a different method for reservation and fares. Amrit Bharat trains, first launched in 2023, offer a travel experience similar to that of Vande Bharat Express.
Now, due to the recent changes in the ticketing policy of Indian Railways, passengers with RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) tickets will not be allowed to board 12 Amrit Bharat trains. This means that the hassle of RAC tickets in these trains is over. Now passengers will get full berths. They will not have to travel in half berths.
According to the Railway Board, those with RAC tickets will not be allowed to travel on Amrit Bharat trains starting January 2026. A railway statement said, “Indian Railways has decided to introduce Amrit Bharat II Express (to be launched on or after January 2026). There will be no provision for RAC tickets in it.”
According to the notification, RAC tickets are not valid for boarding on Amrit Bharat trains starting this month. Thus, a total of 12 Amrit Bharat trains have been flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and they will soon commence their commercial journey. Here is the complete list of Amrit Bharat trains in which RAC ticket holders are not allowed to travel.
Guwahati (Kamakhya) – Rohtak Amrut Bharat Express
Dibrugarh – Lucknow (Gomti Nagar) Amrit Bharat Express
New Jalpaiguri-Nagercoil Amrut Bharat Express
New Jalpaiguri – Tiruchirapalli Amrut Bharat Express
Alipurduar – SMVT Bengaluru Amrut Bharat Express
Alipurduar – Mumbai (Panvel) Amrut Bharat Express
Kolkata (Santragachi) – Tambaram Amrut Bharat Express
Kolkata (Howrah) – Anand Vihar Terminal Amrut Bharat Express
Kolkata (Sealdah) – Banaras Amrut Bharat Express
Thiruvananthapuram Central-Tambaram Amrit Bharat Express
Thiruvananthapuram North-Charlapalli Amrit Bharat Express
Nagercoil Junction – Mangaluru Junction Amrut Bharat Express
How does the fare look?
Additionally, Indian Railways has introduced minimum chargeable distances. For sleeper class, tickets are charged for a minimum distance of 200 km (train fares), even if the actual journey is shorter. The basic sleeper fare for this distance starts at Rs 149. For second class (unreserved), the minimum charge is for 50 km, with fares starting at Rs 36. Additional charges such as reservation fees and surcharges remain the same.
For passengers, the changed rules mean easier booking and no uncertainty regarding RAC upgrades. Those traveling short distances may have to pay more due to the minimum fare limit. Long-distance travelers will enjoy a more predictable and better non-AC travel experience.