What do RAC and waitlist mean on train tickets?

• RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) means you can board the train and are given a shared side-lower berth, usually split with another passenger. If confirmed passengers cancel, you may get a full berth.
• Waitlisted (WL) means you don’t have a seat yet. If enough people cancel, your ticket moves up and may get confirmed.

If an e-ticket remains fully waitlisted after the chart is prepared, it is cancelled automatically and refunded, and you cannot travel in reserved coaches. Check your PNR status regularly on IRCTC or the NTES app.