Indian Railways has reiterated that passengers travelling with RAC tickets in AC classes are entitled to a complete bedroll kit, including linen and a blanket, except in AC Chair Car. The latest Railway Board communication dated August 4, 2026, has directed all Zonal Railways to ensure strict compliance with the instructions. The move is particularly important for RAC passengers who often face difficulty getting adequate bedding during overnight journeys.
Indian Railways RAC Bedroll Kit Rule 2026
According to the Railway Board letter No. 2016/EnHM/26/01 dated August 4, 2026, every RAC passenger travelling in an AC class coach, other than AC Chair Car, should be provided with a complete bedroll kit. The Railway Board has specifically instructed Zonal Railways to ensure that RAC passengers receive the bedroll kit at par with other bona fide passengers travelling in the coach. The latest communication also refers to earlier Railway Board instructions dated December 18, 2023, December 12, 2017, and November 16, 2016. The 2023 instruction had already reiterated that complete bedroll kits should be provided to RAC passengers in eligible AC classes.
What Is Included in the RAC Bedroll Kit?
The Railway Board’s latest letter specifically mentions linen and blanket as components of the complete bedroll kit.
Earlier Railway Board communications and reports concerning the same instruction have described the bedroll kit as including bedding items such as bedsheets/linen, blanket, pillow and towel. However, passengers should primarily rely on the Railway Board’s current instruction regarding the provision of the complete bedroll kit, rather than assuming that every individual item will necessarily be separately handed over in every situation.
Is the Bedroll Kit Available to Every RAC Passenger?
Yes, the Railway Board’s instruction applies to each RAC passenger travelling in eligible AC classes.
This is important because an RAC ticket generally means that the passenger has a confirmed right to travel but may have to share accommodation until a full berth becomes available.
The Railway Board’s earlier 2016 instruction noted that bedroll charges were included in the fare paid by RAC passengers in AC classes. The 2023 communication subsequently reiterated that the complete bedroll kit should be provided to RAC passengers at par with other passengers.
Which AC Coaches Are Covered?
The instruction applies to RAC passengers travelling in AC classes, with one specific exception:
| Travel Class | Bedroll for RAC Passenger |
| AC 1st Class | Applicable |
| AC 2nd Class | Applicable |
| AC 3rd Class | Applicable |
| AC 3rd Economy | Applicable where bedroll service is provided |
| AC Chair Car | Not covered |
The key exclusion mentioned by the Railway Board is AC Chair Car.
Therefore, an RAC passenger travelling in an eligible overnight AC sleeping class should not be denied a bedroll merely because the ticket status is RAC.
Why Has the Railway Board Reissued the Instructions?
The latest Railway Board communication states that complaints regarding non-provision or inadequate bedroll kits to RAC passengers are still being received through various channels.
Consequently, the Board has again directed the Zonal Railways to ensure that its instructions are followed.
The August 4, 2026 communication is therefore significant not because the RAC bedroll provision is entirely new, but because the Railway Board has reiterated the requirement and called for strict compliance.
The same issue had already been addressed in the Railway Board’s December 18, 2023 communication, which instructed railway zones to provide complete bedroll kits to RAC passengers in eligible AC classes.
What Should an RAC Passenger Do If the Bedroll Is Not Provided?
If you are travelling in an eligible AC class with an RAC ticket and do not receive your bedroll kit, you can first approach the coach attendant or onboard railway staff and request the kit.
If the issue is not resolved, you can bring the matter to the attention of the TTE/Train Manager or other onboard railway staff.
Passengers can also register a complaint through RailMadad, Indian Railways’ official grievance redressal mechanism.
RailMadad – Official Indian Railways Grievance Portal
RailMadad allows passengers to lodge complaints relating to trains and stations and track the status of their grievances. Indian Railways also provides the 139 helpline for passenger assistance and grievances.
Details to Keep Ready While Complaining
When filing a complaint, it is useful to keep the following information ready:
- PNR number
- Train number and name
- Coach and berth/seat number
- Date of journey
- RAC status
- Description of the problem
- Photograph or other evidence, if relevant
Providing accurate journey details can help railway authorities identify the coach and address the complaint more efficiently.
RAC Passengers Should Know Their Rights
RAC passengers sometimes assume that they are not entitled to the same onboard facilities as passengers with fully confirmed berths. The Railway Board’s instructions make it clear that this should not be the case with respect to the bedroll facility in eligible AC classes.
The December 2023 Railway Board order specifically stated that RAC passengers should receive the complete bedroll kit at par with other bona fide passengers travelling in the coach.
The August 4, 2026 letter reinforces this position and directs the Zonal Railways to ensure compliance.
Important Point: RAC Does Not Mean No Bedroll
A passenger holding an RAC ticket may have to share accommodation, but that does not automatically mean that the passenger should be denied the bedroll facility in an eligible AC class.
If the bedroll is not provided, passengers do not have to simply accept the situation. They can approach railway staff and, if necessary, use RailMadad or the 139 helpline to register a grievance.
Railway Board’s Latest RAC Bedroll Order: Key Points
The important points from the August 4, 2026 Railway Board communication are:
- RAC passengers travelling in eligible AC classes are entitled to a complete bedroll kit.
- The facility applies to each RAC passenger.
- AC Chair Car is excluded from the instruction.
- The bedroll kit includes linen and blanket as specifically mentioned in the latest communication.
- RAC passengers should receive the facility at par with other bona fide passengers travelling in the coach.
- Railway Board has cited continuing complaints about non-provision or inadequate bedroll kits.
- All Zonal Railways have been directed to ensure strict compliance.
- Passengers can use RailMadad/139 if their grievance is not resolved onboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do RAC passengers get a bedroll in Indian Railways?
Yes. RAC passengers travelling in eligible AC classes are to be provided a complete bedroll kit under Railway Board instructions. AC Chair Car is excluded.
Do RAC passengers get blankets?
Yes. The Railway Board’s August 4, 2026 communication specifically requires a complete bedroll kit containing linen and blanket for eligible RAC passengers.
Is the RAC bedroll rule applicable to AC 3 Tier?
Yes. RAC passengers travelling in eligible AC sleeping classes such as AC 3 Tier are covered by the Railway Board’s instructions.
Is AC Chair Car covered under the RAC bedroll rule?
No. AC Chair Car is specifically excluded from the Railway Board’s bedroll instruction.
What if the coach attendant refuses to provide a bedroll?
Ask the onboard railway staff/TTE/Train Manager for assistance. If the issue remains unresolved, register a complaint through RailMadad or contact 139. RailMadad is the official railway grievance platform.
Is this a completely new rule from August 2026?
Not exactly. The Railway Board had issued and reiterated instructions on RAC bedrolls earlier, including in 2016 and 2023. The August 4, 2026 communication is a fresh reiteration directing Zonal Railways to ensure compliance in view of continuing passenger complaints.
Conclusion
The Railway Board’s latest communication is an important reminder for Indian Railways RAC passengers travelling in AC classes. If you hold an RAC ticket and are travelling in an eligible AC coach, you should be provided the prescribed complete bedroll kit, including linen and blanket.
Passengers who do not receive the facility can first approach the onboard railway staff and, where necessary, register a complaint through RailMadad or 139. The latest Railway Board instruction makes it clear that Zonal Railways are expected to ensure compliance with the bedroll provision.
In short: RAC ticket does not mean you should be left without a bedroll in an eligible AC class. Know the rule, ask for the facility, and use RailMadad if necessary.