S7, 57: Two passengers get the same confirmed train seat from IRCTC, and it wasn't RAC: Here's what the TTE did

A confirmed railway ticket is usually enough to settle the question of who gets to occupy a seat on a train. But what happens when two passengers claim the same berth, and neither has a ticket marked Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC)? A viral video has brought this unusual situation. It shows two passengers claiming seat number 57 in coach S7, with both apparently having confirmed reservations. The disagreement continues until the Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) checks their tickets and explains what went wrong.

Also Read: Nitin Gadkari's ministry planning automatic ADAS breaking for all cars

Why did two passengers get the same seat on ticket?

In the video, railway TTE Jitendra Mishra explains that the confusion arose because of the automatic upgrade facility offered during ticket booking. One passenger, referred to as a grandfather in the video, had opted for the auto-upgradation facility while booking his ticket. Under this option, Indian Railways can move a passenger to a higher class if eligible accommodation is available, subject to the applicable rules.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jitendra Mishra (@tte__jitendramishra)

The passenger's ticket was subsequently upgraded. However, the other traveller was unaware of this change and continued to claim seat number 57 in the S7 sleeper coach. As a result, both passengers initially believed they were entitled to the same seat. Neither appeared willing to give up the berth, leaving the TTE to establish what had happened.

What did the TTE do?

Mishra examined the situation and explained that the grandfather's ticket had been upgraded to a higher class. This meant he was no longer required to occupy the original sleeper-coach berth. The TTE clarified that the grandfather would have to travel in the upgraded coach, while the other passenger could retain seat number 57 in S7.

Mishra also offered a simple suggestion to passengers who encounter a similar situation: check the ticket's Passenger Name Record (PNR) details before getting into an argument over a berth.

What is the Indian Railways auto-upgradation facility?

Indian Railways provides an auto-upgradation option that allows eligible passengers to be considered for accommodation in a higher class, depending on availability and the applicable rules. For instance, a passenger booked in sleeper class may be upgraded to AC 3-tier, while an eligible passenger travelling in AC 3-tier may receive an upgrade to AC 2-tier. Other class combinations may also be possible, subject to railway rules and availability.

Passengers should remember that selecting the option does not guarantee an upgrade. It only makes them eligible for consideration under the facility. An upgrade can also change the coach and berth details associated with a reservation. Passengers should therefore check their latest ticket information rather than relying solely on the coach or seat details they remember from the initial booking.

How can passengers avoid a seat dispute?

The incident offers a useful reminder for anyone travelling by train, particularly during busy holiday periods when reservations and berth availability can become a source of confusion. Here are a few steps passengers can take if someone else claims their confirmed seat:

• Check the latest PNR status: Verify the current reservation details, including the coach, berth and travel class.
• Look for an upgrade: If you selected auto-upgradation during booking, check whether your ticket has been moved to another class.
• Compare the ticket details: Make sure the coach and berth numbers on your latest reservation match the seat you are claiming.
• Ask the TTE for help: If two passengers still claim the same berth, let railway staff verify the records instead of escalating the disagreement.

Viral video sparks reactions from passengers

The video has attracted widespread attention online, with viewers discussing both the unusual booking confusion and the TTE's handling of the situation. Several users shared their own experiences with railway upgrades. One commenter said that a ticket booked in AC 3-tier had previously been upgraded to AC 2-tier, while a ticket booked in AC 2-tier had been moved to AC 1-tier.