
After taking into consideration various quotas, such as those for the disabled, Indian Railways has made a major policy change by allowing wait-listed tickets for up to 25% of the total berths/seats in each class—AC1, 2, and 3; Sleeper; and Chair Car—of a train. According to Dipak Dash and Manthan Mehta, this is meant to lessen the uncertainty that travelers experience when they purchase tickets that are not confirmed.
Indian Railways is now putting a cap (limit) on the number of wait-listed tickets issued for each train, and here's why:
1. Most Wait-Listed Tickets Get Confirmed Later
Officials say around 20% to 25% of wait-listed tickets typically get confirmed by the time the final passenger chart is prepared (just before the train departs). So, there's no need to issue an unlimited number of them.