Understanding RAC 10 and CNF Status in Railways Booking

When you book a railway ticket, especially for a popular train or during peak travel seasons, you might encounter various booking statuses such as RAC 10 and CNF. Let's break down what these statuses mean and how they will affect your journey.

What Does RAC 10 Mean?

RAC 10 stands for Reservation Against Cancellation. This means that your ticket is not yet confirmed, and your seat is in the waiting list rather than a reserved seat. Despite this, the ticket is booked in your name, and the railway authorities will try to allocate a seat to you.

RAC 10 also means that your seat number and berth details are not confirmed yet and may change. RAC 13, in a similar context, is another instance of a waiting list allocation. Your booking status RAC 10 indicates that if a seat becomes available, you will be given the seat in 2AC (Second Class AC), as per your original booking preferences.

It's important to note that if your seat is ultimately not allocated, your ticket will be cancelled. Hence, while RAC 10 is an indication that your seat is not yet confirmed, it also means you are still in the running for a seat on the train.

What Does CNF Status Mean?

CNF stands for Confirmed. It is the status that indicates your seat or berth is fully reserved and you have a confirmed reservation.

If your current PNR (Passenger Name Record) status shows CNF, it means your seat or berth is reserved and you are all set for your journey. You no longer need to worry about cancellations or seat reallocations. The railway authorities will provide you with your berth and coach details via SMS about 3-4 hours before the train's scheduled departure time. This is known as chart preparation. Your booking status RAC 10 changes to CNF to reflect your confirmed reservation. Your seat number remains RAC 13 until the train departs, but your new status CNF means your seat is secured.

Regarding the mention of RAC 13, this was the original booking status when you initially booked your ticket. Your current status CNF now indicates that your seat or berth is confirmed, and you will be given your details before your journey.

Summary and Concluding Thoughts

Given the above information, if your current PNR status is CNF and your booking status shows RAC 10, it does mean your ticket is confirmed. However, your ticket will indeed be in 2AC as originally booked. Confirmed (CNF) means your seat is reserved and secure, and once the chart is prepared, you will be informed of your berth and coach numbers via SMS. This happens about 3-4 hours before the train's scheduled departure time.

To ensure a smooth journey, keep an eye on your PNR status updates and stay connected to any SMS notifications from the railway authorities. This will help you keep track of any changes and prepare accordingly for your travel.