Bedroll Rules in AC Classes: What's Actually Included (2026 Update)

Bedroll rules have actually changed meaningfully in 2026 — both a genuine comfort upgrade for RAC passengers and a new paid option for Sleeper Class travellers who never had bedding available before.

What's in a Standard Bedroll

A standard IRCTC bedroll kit includes one blanket, one pillow, two bedsheets, and one face towel. A "Deluxe" version on some routes adds a night spread, bath towel, and hand towel on top of the standard items.

Which Classes Get It Free

Bedrolls are provided free of cost to confirmed passengers in AC First Class, AC 2-Tier, and AC 3-Tier — including those boarding from intermediate stations, not just the origin. AC Chair Car does not receive bedrolls (it's a daytime seating class, not built around overnight sleeping).

New in 2026: RAC Passengers Get Individual Kits

As of a Railway Board order dated 4 August 2026, RAC passengers in all AC classes (except AC Chair Car) are now guaranteed their own individual bedroll kit — including fresh linen and a blanket — rather than sharing a single kit with the other passenger occupying the same berth. This directly addresses a long-standing complaint about hygiene and comfort for RAC travellers, who pay full fare but previously had to share bedding with a stranger. If you're travelling RAC in an eligible AC class and don't receive your own kit, you're entitled to contact the onboard TTE or lodge a complaint via the Rail Madad helpline (139).

New: Paid Bedding for Sleeper Class (From January 2026)

Sleeper Class has traditionally had no bedding provision at all — passengers had to carry their own blanket and sheets. Since 1 January 2026, Indian Railways introduced an optional, paid bedding kit service for Sleeper Class, bookable during ticket reservation on the IRCTC website or app. This is opt-in and comes at a cost (unlike the free AC-class bedroll), but it's a genuinely new option for Sleeper passengers who'd rather not carry their own bedding on a long overnight trip.

e-Bedroll: Reserve Bedding in Advance

IRCTC's e-Bedroll service lets you reserve a bedroll kit online ahead of your journey on select trains, including a disposable bedsheet option. If your bedroll doesn't arrive as booked (for instance, if the train arrives very late, or between roughly 2:00 AM and 6:00 AM when delivery may not be feasible), you're generally entitled to a refund for that portion, though bank transaction fees may not be covered.

Practical Tip

Regardless of what's officially included, AC coaches run genuinely cold overnight — carrying a light personal blanket or shawl as backup is worth doing even in classes with free bedding.

Useful tools: IRCTC booking date calculator · Tatkal booking time · advance reservation period (ARP)