Railways Rules: When booking train tickets, you often encounter terms that can be confusing. Understanding these terms beforehand can make ticket booking easier.

Millions of people travel by train in India every day. But the codes and abbreviations that appear on the screen while booking tickets can sometimes be confusing. Terms like RAC, GNWL, and TQWL indicate the status of your journey. Understanding them means less stress and better planning.

RAC stands for Reservation Against Cancellation. This means you have a seat, but the entire berth is not confirmed. You can travel on the train and will have a place to sit. If a passenger cancels their ticket, the RAC ticket can be upgraded to a confirmed berth.

GNWL stands for General Waiting List. This is the most common waiting list category, available for bookings from the train's originating station. GNWL tickets have a higher chance of confirmation than other waiting lists, especially if the ticket was booked early. Early booking is a major advantage here.

If a seat is not confirmed when booking through the Tatkal quota, the status becomes TQWL. The chances of confirmation are lower than with GNWL, as Tatkal quota seats are limited. If the ticket is not confirmed by the time the chart is prepared, it is automatically canceled and a refund is issued.

UTS stands for Unreserved Ticketing System. This is the general ticketing system for unreserved travel. These tickets can be obtained from ticket counters or mobile apps and are mostly used for short-distance travel.

E-Catering service allows you to order your preferred food to your seat during your journey. You can order food from various restaurants through the IRCTC website or app. The food is delivered to your seat as soon as the train arrives at major stations.

LHB coaches are modern coaches built with German technology. They are considered safer, faster, and more comfortable than the older ICF coaches. They offer a smoother ride with less jerking and noise. Today, most premium trains are operated with LHB coaches. Under the Vikalp scheme, if your train ticket remains on the waiting list, the railways may offer you a seat on another train. There is no extra charge for this. Even if the train changes, your journey remains possible. This scheme provides considerable relief for flexible travelers.