Often, when we book train tickets from the counter or online, the same Passenger Name Record (PNR) is found on the tickets of many people. If all the tickets are confirmed, then there is no problem, but the problem arises when some tickets are confirmed and some remain in waiting.
In such a situation, many questions arise in front of the passengers. Should they travel or not? Will they get a refund of the ticket or not? Overall, passengers do not understand what to do. What are the rules of the railways for such a situation? So, if you too have ever been stuck in such a situation, then know the rules of the railways.
Know what the rules of the railways say
If someone has four tickets, out of which 3 tickets are valid and one is waiting, then according to the rules of the railways, the passengers whose tickets are valid can travel. If the waiting list ticket is not confirmed even after the chart is prepared, then that passenger will not be allowed to board the train.
Traveling without a confirmed ticket is not allowed. Nevertheless, if a person travels, they will be considered a ticketless traveller and can be fined as per railway rules. In such a situation, there is an option to travel in the general compartment by buying a separate ticket.
Know the railway refund rules
Suppose 3 out of four people had confirmed tickets, they travelled, and one ticket remained on the waiting list. Now the biggest question is that will you get a refund for that waiting ticket?
As per railway ticket cancellation rules, if you have taken a ticket in which some passengers have confirmed seats and some have waiting and the waiting passengers are not travelling, then in such a situation the travelling passengers will have to take a receipt (TDR) from the ticket checking staff in which it will be written that the waiting passengers are not travelling.
After this, TDR has to be filed online for a refund. It is important to note that the TDR filing process should be completed within 72 hours of the train reaching the station. Along with this, the receipt received on the train will have to be sent by post to the IRCTC address. Only after this will the refund process start.
What are the rules for traveling on waiting tickets
Indian Railways has recently made a big change regarding traveling on waiting tickets. From May 1, 2025, passengers cannot travel on waiting tickets in reserved coaches of trains like Sleeper, 3AC, 2AC. If they do so, IRCTC can fine them as per the rules of the railways. Therefore, always carry a confirmed ticket to make your journey smooth.