Railway Board Reiterates Complete Bedroll Facility for RAC Passengers in AC Coaches
In a significant relief for railway passengers travelling on Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) tickets, the Railway Board has once again instructed all Zonal Railways to ensure that every RAC passenger travelling in Air-Conditioned (AC) classes, except AC Chair Car, is provided with a complete bedroll kit, including linen and a blanket.
The fresh directive, issued on 4 August 2026, comes after the Railway Board continued to receive complaints regarding non-supply or inadequate supply of bedroll kits to RAC passengers despite earlier instructions.
Why Has the Railway Board Issued This Circular?
The Railway Board noted that complaints were still being received through various channels about RAC passengers not receiving proper bedding during their journey.
To eliminate ambiguity and ensure uniform implementation across all railway zones, the Board has reiterated its earlier instructions and directed all concerned officials to ensure strict compliance.
What Does the Latest Railway Board Order Say?
According to the circular:
- Every RAC passenger travelling in AC Classes (except AC Chair Car) must receive a complete bedroll kit.
- The bedroll kit includes:
- Clean bed sheets
- Pillow cover
- Blanket
- Other standard linen items provided to confirmed passengers.
- RAC passengers must be treated at par with other bona fide passengers travelling in the same coach.
This means passengers holding RAC tickets in AC coaches cannot be denied bedding merely because they do not have a fully confirmed berth.
Railway Board References Earlier Orders
The latest circular refers to previous Railway Board instructions issued on:
- 18 December 2023
- 12 December 2017
- 16 November 2016
Despite these repeated directions, complaints continued to reach the Railway Board, prompting another reminder to all railway administrations.
Who Must Follow These Instructions?
The order has been addressed to:
- General Managers of all Zonal Railways
- IRCTC
- Chief Commercial Managers (CCMs)
- Chief Mechanical Engineers (CMEs)
- Senior officials of the Railway Board
All concerned authorities have been instructed to ensure immediate and strict compliance.
What Is a Bedroll Kit?
A standard AC coach bedroll kit generally consists of:
- Two clean bed sheets
- One pillow with pillow cover
- One blanket
- Face towel (where applicable)
The exact contents may vary depending on the class of travel and Railway guidelines, but RAC passengers are entitled to receive the same standard bedding as other eligible passengers in the coach.
What Should RAC Passengers Do If Bedroll Is Not Provided?
If an RAC passenger travelling in an eligible AC coach does not receive the complete bedroll kit, they can:
- Contact the onboard coach attendant immediately.
- Inform the Train Superintendent or Ticket Checking Staff (TTE).
- Lodge a complaint through the Rail Madad portal or mobile application.
- Contact the Railway Helpline 139 for assistance during the journey.
Passengers should mention their PNR, coach number, and train number while filing a complaint.
Why This Circular Is Important
The latest order reinforces the principle that RAC passengers in AC classes are entitled to basic onboard amenities similar to confirmed passengers. Since RAC passengers pay the applicable AC fare, denial of bedroll facilities can lead to inconvenience, especially during overnight journeys.
The circular aims to improve passenger comfort, ensure uniform implementation across railway zones, and reduce complaints regarding onboard services.
Key Highlights
- Railway Board circular issued on 4 August 2026.
- Complete bedroll kit mandatory for RAC passengers in AC classes.
- Rule applicable to all AC coaches except AC Chair Car.
- RAC passengers must receive bedding at par with other eligible passengers.
- Zonal Railways and IRCTC directed to ensure strict compliance.
Conclusion
The Railway Board’s latest directive reiterates that RAC passengers travelling in AC coaches deserve the same bedroll facilities as other eligible passengers. By reminding all Zonal Railways to strictly implement the existing rules, the Board aims to eliminate inconsistencies in service and improve the travel experience for millions of passengers across the country.
Passengers travelling on RAC tickets should now expect to receive a complete bedroll kit during their journey in eligible AC coaches and should report any non-compliance through the appropriate grievance channels.