Lower Berth Row Sparks Debate After 82-Year-Old Allotted Upper Seat, Railways Clarifies Policy
Lower Berth Row Sparks Debate After 82-Year-Old Allotted Upper Seat, Railways Clarifies Policy
A fresh debate over railway berth allocation has taken social media by storm after a passenger highlighted what he described as an unfair experience while booking a ticket for an elderly woman. The issue has once again brought attention to how lower berths are assigned to senior citizens under the Indian Railways reservation system.
The controversy began when a user on X shared that an 82-year-old woman, for whom he had booked a train ticket, was given an upper berth despite what he claimed were several lower berths available at the time of booking. Expressing frustration, he wrote, “Booked ticket for 82 year old lady and @IRCTCofficial allotted upper berth (even though there were many seats avaliable). Now the same lower berths will be sold at high rates in premium tatkal ????”
The post quickly gained traction, prompting a response from the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). Addressing the concerns, the organisation explained the provisions within the computerised reservation system.
In its response, IRCTC stated, “Sir, in the computerised reservation system of Indian Railways, there is a provision for allotting lower berth automatically to senior citizens and female passengers above the age of 45 years, even if no choice is given. It is, however, subject to the availability of such lower berths at the time of booking. It is also informed that at the time of booking reserved tickets through the Internet, there is a provision to opt for booking only if a lower berth is available. In such a case ticket shall be booked only if a lower berth is available. Moreover, on Indian Railways, reserved accommodation can be booked on first come first served basis, and the berth of choice is allotted subject to availability.”
The clarification reiterates that while the system is designed to prioritise lower berths for senior citizens aged 60 and above, as well as women passengers aged 45 and older, the allocation ultimately depends on availability at the time of booking.
Adding further context to the discussion, a Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) recently went viral for explaining why lower berths are not always granted to elderly passengers. The video was filmed aboard the Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express, where the TTE outlined specific conditions tied to the senior citizen quota.
According to the TTE’s explanation, passengers can benefit from the senior citizen quota for a lower berth only if no more than two people are booked on the same ticket. If more than two passengers are included in a single reservation, the system does not apply the senior citizen quota benefits, which means the lower berth preference may not be granted.
Understanding the Senior Citizen Lower Berth Quota
Indian Railways has built several passenger-friendly measures into its reservation system to improve comfort for elderly travellers and certain categories of women.
Automatic Lower Berth Allocation
Lower berths are automatically earmarked for senior citizens aged 60 and above, and for women aged 45 years or older. However, this feature works only if lower berths are available at the time of booking.
Reserved Lower Berths in Coaches
Specific quotas are set aside in different classes of travel:
Sleeper Class: 6 to 7 lower berths per coach
AC 3-Tier: 4 to 5 lower berths per coach
AC 2-Tier: 3 to 4 lower berths per coach
These berths are reserved for senior citizens, women above 45 years of age, and pregnant women.
General Compartments
In suburban trains operated across zonal railways, at least seven seats each in the first and last second-class general compartments are reserved exclusively for senior citizens.
Passengers are not required to submit age proof while booking tickets. However, they must carry valid identification that verifies their age and present it to ticket-checking staff during travel if requested.
