New Delhi, April 24, 2025: In a bid to enhance accessibility and comfort for elderly passengers, pregnant women, and people with disabilities (PwD), Indian Railways has announced significant changes to its lower berth allocation policy.
The new guidelines, effective immediately, aim to make train travel easier for these priority groups by ensuring they have better access to lower berths, which are typically considered more comfortable than upper or middle berths.
Indian Railways has long been known for its extensive network and diverse passenger base. With this recent move, it hopes to address the unique needs of certain passengers, particularly those who face physical challenges when travelling. The new policy includes automatic berth allocation for the elderly, pregnant women, and certain female passengers, irrespective of whether they request a lower berth at the time of booking.
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Key Features of the New Policy Under the revised rules, elderly passengers (men aged 60 and above, and women aged 58 and above) as well as pregnant women and women aged 45 and older will automatically be assigned lower berths, provided there are vacant ones at the time of booking. This system eliminates the need for manual requests and simplifies the reservation process.
In terms of availability, the number of lower berths allocated will vary depending on the type of coach. The breakdown is as follows:
• Sleeper Class: 6 to 7 lower berths per coach
• Air-Conditioned 3-Tier (3AC): 4 to 5 lower berths per coach
• Air-Conditioned 2-Tier (2AC): 3 to 4 lower berths per coach
The number of lower berths available per train will, of course, depend on the number of coaches in each train.
Special Quota for Persons with DisabilitiesOne of the most significant aspects of the revised allocation system is the emphasis on people with disabilities. Indian Railways has always prioritised their comfort, and now the system ensures that they have guaranteed access to lower berths in express and mail trains, including prestigious services like Rajdhani and Shatabdi.
Specific quotas for PwDs include:
• Sleeper Class: 4 berths (2 lower berths)
• 3AC/3E: 4 berths (2 lower berths)
• Reserved Second Sitting (2S) and Air-Conditioned Chair Car (CC): 4 seats
These reservations ensure that individuals with disabilities will have safe and comfortable travel, with priority given to their needs in the berth allocation process.
Priority for Unoccupied Lower BerthsIn the event that lower berths remain vacant during the journey, priority will be given to elderly passengers, pregnant women, and PwDs who were originally allotted upper or middle berths. This ensures that these vulnerable passengers can access more comfortable seating during the trip, offering a significant improvement in travel convenience and accessibility.
Other Changes and Future ImpactsWhile these changes are designed to improve accessibility, they come as part of Indian Railways’ broader efforts to enhance the overall passenger experience. In line with these improvements, the railways will continue to provide financial subsidies and offer discounts to specific categories of passengers, including those with disabilities, patients, and students.However, it’s worth noting that general senior citizen concessions have been suspended. Despite this, the policy for PwDs remains strong, ensuring that they receive the best possible service during their journeys.
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Indian Railways Modifies Lower Berth Allocation Rules