Prefer lower berth seats in trains? Indian Railways announces new rules — priority for senior citizens, women, and pregnant passengers

Passengers can now choose ‘book only if lower berth is available’ option while booking online, as Railways aims to make travel more comfortable and transparent

Indian Railways has introduced new measures to make the process of booking lower berths more convenient, especially for senior citizens, women, and pregnant passengers. Travellers who specifically prefer a lower berth can now select the option “book only if lower berth is available” while booking tickets online through the IRCTC website or app. If no lower berth is available at the time of booking, the system will not confirm the ticket, ensuring that passengers get exactly what they’ve opted for.

The initiative is part of a broader effort to simplify ticketing and enhance passenger experience. Earlier this year, Railways launched the RailOne app, which integrates multiple services into a single platform. Passengers can book both reserved and unreserved tickets, access train schedules, and manage their journeys more efficiently through the app.

Lower berth reservation details

To accommodate passengers who need easier access to seats, Indian Railways has reserved a fixed number of lower berths in each coach category:

• Sleeper Class: 6 lower berths per coach
• AC 3-Tier: 4 lower berths per coach
• AC 2-Tier: 4 lower berths per coach

These reserved berths are primarily allocated to senior citizens, women aged 45 and above, and pregnant women under the computerised reservation system. However, this is subject to availability at the time of booking.

If eligible passengers are unable to secure a lower berth during booking, ticket checking staff (TTEs) onboard are authorised to reassign any vacant lower berths to them during the journey.

Sleeping and seating rules

Railways has also reiterated sleeping and seating norms for reserved compartments:

• Passengers may sleep on their berths between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM.
• During the rest of the day, the berths are to be used for seating only.
• For RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) tickets, the side lower berth is shared between the RAC holder and the side upper berth passenger for sitting during daytime.

It is important to note that a passenger on the side upper berth has no claim over the lower berth between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM, as that time is reserved for sleeping by the lower berth occupant.

Advance reservation period revised

In a related move, the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) has been reduced from 120 days to 60 days, excluding the day of travel. This adjustment aims to make the booking system more dynamic and accessible, particularly for last-minute travellers.

Despite these provisions, passengers often face difficulties when trying to secure lower berths online due to limited availability. The new booking option is expected to reduce such inconveniences by giving passengers greater control over their preferences.

Disclaimer: Passengers are advised to check the latest updates on the official IRCTC website or app before booking their tickets.