Indian Railways has launched the Vande Bharat Sleeper trains to give passengers a more comfortable experience on long-distance overnight journeys.

Each train runs a 16-coach formation with a total capacity of 823 passengers. Six berths are reserved for women and another 21 for railway staff. Three pairs of these trains operate today: Howrah to Kamakhya (Guwahati), New Delhi to Varanasi Cantt (Kashi) and Mumbai CSMT to SMVT Bengaluru.

Only confirmed ticket holders may board the Sleeper service; passengers holding RAC or waitlisted tickets are denied entry. Cancellation rules are strict: a 25% charge applies if you cancel more than 72 hours before departure, 50% if you cancel between 72 and 8 hours prior, and there is no refund for cancellations made less than 8 hours ahead of the train's departure.