Railway Rule Change: TTE Will Not Wait for the Next Station If You Miss Your Boarding Time and May Allot Your Seat

Indian Railways is taking another big step towards digital and efficient train travel. A new boarding system is in the works, and it could change how seats are allocated on trains across the country.

Mandatory Boarding at Your Selected Station

Under the upcoming rules, passengers must board the train from the station mentioned at the time of booking. If a passenger fails to board on time, their seat will no longer remain blocked, it can be reassigned instantly to someone else who needs it.

No More Waiting Till the Next Station

Earlier, if a passenger was missing at the boarding station, the TTE would wait until the next stop before marking the seat vacant. That’s about to change.

Now, the TTE will mark the passenger as “Not Turned Up” on a handheld device during the first check itself. The moment this happens, the system will treat the seat as vacant and reallocate it in real time.

Real-Time Seat Updates on Your Phone

One of the biggest benefits of this upgrade is transparency. Passengers will receive seat allocation updates directly on their mobile phones. This means no more repeatedly asking the TTE about seat status, the information will be just a notification away.

Major Software Revamp Underway

To make this possible, the Railway Board has instructed CRIS (Centre for Railway Information Systems) to roll out a major software update. Once completed, the new system will be implemented nationwide.

Big Relief for Waiting List and RAC Passengers

This change is especially good news for waiting list and RAC ticket holders. With vacant seats being reassigned instantly, their chances of getting a confirmed seat during the journey will improve significantly. It also ensures that no seat goes unused.

Why This Change Was Needed

Railway data shows that around 3-5% of passengers don’t travel despite having confirmed tickets. This often happens due to last-minute plan changes or boarding from a different station. To avoid losing your seat, choosing the correct boarding station is now more important than ever.

Boarding Station Change Has a Deadline

Passengers should also note that changing the boarding station is allowed only up to 24 hours before the train’s departure. Once this window closes, no changes can be made.

What This Means for You

Overall, this update aims to make train travel faster, smarter, and more transparent. By maximizing seat usage and reducing confusion, Indian Railways hopes to deliver a smoother and more passenger-friendly experience.