In a significant shift, Indian Railways has announced a new directive to fill all vacant AC coach seats using the auto upgrade system. This means passengers with confirmed tickets in Sleeper Class (SL) or Second Sitting (2S) may now be automatically upgraded to higher AC classes during chart preparation, done four hours before train departure.
No More Current Booking In AC Coaches
This policy change effectively restricts the Current Booking (CB) facility in AC coaches like First AC (1A), Second AC (2A), Third AC (3A), Chair Car (CC), and Executive Class (EC). CB was previously used for last-minute bookings up to 30 minutes before departure, but with auto upgrades filling vacant seats, such slots will now be rare in AC categories.
However, CB will still be available for Sleeper and Second Sitting classes, where chances of vacant seats remain higher even after chart preparation.
Who Gets The Auto Upgrade?
Auto upgrades will now be prioritized for confirmed passengers who have paid the full fare or tatkal fare in their class, and not for those traveling on concessional tickets. The upgrade hierarchy is clearly defined:
A maximum of two-level upgrades are permitted, while premium upgrades like from 3A to 1A are not allowed.
More Efficient Seat Occupancy, But Limited Choices
According to railway officials, most AC seats get booked during peak times. But in off-peak seasons or routes with surplus AC capacity, more passengers from non-AC classes might get lucky with an upgrade. The idea is to maximize AC coach occupancy and make better use of available resources.
Final Thoughts
With this shift, Indian Railways aims to ensure every seat in AC coaches is efficiently used while also rewarding full-fare paying passengers. Though it limits last-minute booking options in AC classes, the new system adds a fair advantage for confirmed ticket holders from lower classes.
