Details of Indian Railways’ special provisions of allotting lower berths when available during booking, and reservation quotas for persons with disabilities.
Indian Railways has a special provision of allotting lower berths for senior citizens, women above 45 years of age, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women, even when a specific choice is not made while booking the tickets. This special provision is subject to availability of such seats while booking.
Indian Railways also has a reservation quota for persons with disabilities, in all of their mail or express trains, including the Rajdhani and Shatabdi-type trains.
If there are vacant lower berths during the journey, preference is given to Senior Citizens, Persons with Disabilities, and pregnant women, who may have initially been allotted middle or upper berths.
This information was provided by the Union Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, while replying to a question in Lok Sabha, where he highlighted the ongoing efforts Indian Railways to provide lower berth accommodations to senior citizens, women, and persons with disabilities.
As per the recent report by Ministry of Railways on 19 March 2025, here the details of these special provisions of lower berth allotment by Indian Railways.
Details of special provisions of lower berth allotment
Senior citizens, female passengers aged 45 years and above, and pregnant women are automatically allotted lower berths subject to availability, even if no specific choice is indicated during booking.
Below are further details of this special provision.
- A dedicated quota of six to seven lower berths per coach in Sleeper Class.
- Four to five lower berths per coach in Air Conditioned 3 Tier (3AC).
- Three to four lower berths per coach in Air Conditioned 2 Tier (2AC).
- This provision is available depending on the number of coaches in the train to ensure maximum convenience.
Details of Reservation Quota for Persons with Disabilities
The Reservation Quota facility for Persons with Disabilities is applicable in all mail or express trains, including Rajdhani and Shatabdi-type trains, irrespective of whether concession facilities are availed or not.
- Four berths in Sleeper Class (including two lower berths).
- Four berths in 3AC/3E (including two lower berths).
- Four seats in Reserved Second Sitting (2S) or Air-Conditioned Chair Car (CC)
Furthermore, the Ministry of Railways report adds that, in the event of vacant lower berths during the journey, preference is given to Senior Citizens, Persons with Disabilities, and pregnant women, who may have been initially allotted middle or upper berths.
- Indian railways Special Provision of Lower Berths allotment for Senior Citizens, Women, and Persons with Disabilities - Ministry of Railways, on PIB - Press Information Bureau. Posted On: 19 MAR 2025 6:35PM by PIB Bhubaneshwar.