The Indian Railways has announced a new set of ticket booking rules for 2025, introducing key reforms to improve passenger comfort, digital access, and booking efficiency. The new guidelines cover areas like lower berth allocation, sleeping time regulations, and a reduction in advance reservation period (ARP), with several updates aimed at senior citizens, women travelers, and frequent passengers.
🚉 Revised Lower Berth Policy
Under the updated rules, senior citizens, women above 45 years of age, and pregnant women will continue to receive priority for lower berths in sleeper and AC classes.
If lower berths are unavailable at the time of booking, eligible passengers will be placed on a priority waiting list, and Travelling Ticket Examiners (TTEs) will be authorized to reassign lower berths if they become vacant during travel.
To make the system more transparent, the Railways has also introduced an online “lower berth only” booking option, allowing passengers to reserve tickets only when such seats are available — ensuring greater comfort and convenience for those in need.
🕙 Defined Sleeping Hours in Reserved Coaches
To reduce conflicts among passengers, the Indian Railways has officially defined sleeping hours from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM in reserved compartments.
During these hours, only the passenger assigned to the lower berth may use it for sleeping. In daytime travel, all passengers are expected to share seating space to maintain fairness and comfort for everyone.
Additionally, RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) ticket holders will benefit from a new seat-sharing system, ensuring they too can travel comfortably during the day.
📆 Advance Reservation Period Reduced to 60 Days
The advance reservation period (ARP) for booking tickets has been reduced from 120 days to 60 days, marking one of the most significant reforms in recent years.
According to railway officials, this change aims to:
- Make ticket booking more practical and efficient.
- Increase the chances of confirmed bookings closer to the travel date.
- Minimize cancellations and no-shows, reducing unused seats and booking fraud.
The shorter booking window will allow passengers to plan travel more realistically while keeping the system dynamic and responsive to demand.
📱 RailOne App: Unified Digital Experience
In a move toward digital modernization, the Indian Railways has also launched its new mobile application — RailOne — a unified platform offering passengers end-to-end booking and travel management.
Through RailOne, users can:
- Book or cancel tickets instantly
- Check live train status
- View real-time seat availability
- Access updates on onboard amenities
Railway officials stated that the app will make the ticketing process more transparent and accessible, especially for senior citizens and rural passengers.
🚆 Toward a Smarter, Passenger-Friendly Railway System
The revised rules underscore Indian Railways’ ongoing commitment to creating a safe, inclusive, and digitally empowered travel ecosystem.
With a focus on comfort, accessibility, and transparency, the reforms are expected to reduce booking hassles, prevent seat disputes, and enhance convenience for millions of daily travelers.
As Indian Railways modernizes both its physical and digital infrastructure, these 2025 reforms mark a significant step toward smarter, safer, and more passenger-oriented rail travel.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
