Men aged 60 and above and women aged 58 and above are senior citizens for Indian Railways. A lower-berth quota is earmarked for them in every coach — about six to seven lower berths per Sleeper coach, four to five per AC 3-tier and three to four per AC 2-tier — shared with women over 45 and pregnant women, and allotted automatically when such a passenger books with a lower-berth preference. The 40–50% senior citizen fare concession has been suspended since March 2020.
Who counts as a senior citizen
For Indian Railways, a man aged 60 or above and a woman aged 58 or above. Age is taken from what you enter at booking and may be checked against ID on the train, so enter it exactly.
The lower-berth quota
In every reserved coach a block of lower berths is earmarked for senior citizens, women aged 45 and above, and pregnant women — passengers for whom a climb to the upper berth is a real hardship. The published allocation is approximately:
| Class | Reserved lower berths per coach |
|---|---|
| Sleeper (SL) | 6 to 7 |
| AC 3-tier (3A) and 3 Economy (3E) | 4 to 5 |
| AC 2-tier (2A) | 3 to 4 |
The berths are allotted automatically when an eligible passenger books with “Lower” as the berth preference and the quota still has berths. If it does not, the booking falls back to the general quota and whatever berth is free there. There is also a rule for the train itself: if a senior citizen, a woman over 45 or a pregnant woman ends up with a middle or upper berth, the ticket examiner should move them to a lower berth that falls vacant, before allotting it to anyone else.
Booking it
- Senior Citizen quota (SS) in the IRCTC quota dropdown: every passenger on the booking must be a senior citizen. Use it for a couple travelling together, or one person alone.
- Mixed groups — a senior travelling with younger family — book under General and set “Lower” as the preference for the senior; the system draws from the lower-berth quota for that passenger where it can.
- “Book only if lower berth is allotted” is an option on IRCTC. Tick it if the trip is impossible otherwise; the booking simply fails rather than issuing an upper berth.
The fare concession
Until March 2020, senior citizens received 40% (men) and 50% (women) off the base fare in most classes. The concession was withdrawn on 20 March 2020 and has not been restored. Senior citizens now pay full fare. The lower-berth quota is unaffected and remains in force. Any site still quoting the discount is out of date.
Questions people ask
Is the senior citizen concession back?
No. The concession on fares was withdrawn on 20 March 2020 and has not been restored. Senior citizens pay full fare; the lower-berth quota still applies.
How do I get a lower berth as a senior citizen?
Enter the passenger’s correct age and choose “Lower” as the berth preference. If a lower berth is available in the senior citizen quota or the general quota, the system allots it automatically.
Is there a separate senior citizen quota on IRCTC?
Yes, “Senior Citizen” is a quota option. It requires every passenger on the booking to be a senior citizen; a mixed group books under General with a lower-berth preference instead.
Rules quoted here are Indian Railways’ published rules as we understand them on the date above. They change; the official channel’s page at the time you book is what governs. YaatriGan is independent and is not affiliated with Indian Railways or IRCTC.