Auto upgrade is one of the most beneficial facilities available to train passengers. At times, those who book sleeper class tickets are upgraded to AC coaches at no extra cost. A new circular issued by the Railway Board on 13th May 2025 states that passengers with waitlisted tickets may get an automatic upgrade. If there are no available seats in the class originally booked, but seats are available in a higher class, the ticket may be upgraded to that class. However, this upgrade will be limited to a maximum of two levels above the original class booked.
Which All Coaches Will Be Applicable
This rule has been in existence since 2006, where it is stated that you may be upgraded to a higher class without any additional charge. The railway circular this time has defined a path of upgrade and provides a structured path for the same. The new AC Economy Coach, Vistadome Non-AC Coach, Vistadome Coach and Executive Anubhuti Coach have also been made part of the upgrade. These are the coaches introduced after the scheme was updated in 2014.
The sleeping coaches on Indian trains include Sleeper Class, AC Economy (3E), Third AC (3A), Second AC (2A), and First AC (1A). Only passengers who opt for the auto upgrade facility while booking their tickets will be considered for an upgrade. For example, a passenger who chooses the auto upgrade option and books a ticket in Third AC may be upgraded to Second AC, even if their ticket is waitlisted, provided seats are available and there is no waiting list in Second AC.
Upgrades- Two Classes
Upgrades are available up to a maximum of two classes. Passengers booked in Second AC (2A) are eligible for an auto upgrade to First AC (1A). However, only those who have paid the full fare will be considered for the upgrade. Additionally, senior citizens and passengers holding lower berth tickets will also be eligible for auto upgrades under this scheme. The Centre for Railway Information System has been directed to upgrade the software to reflect the new rules.
