Senior Citizen Concession Rules in Indian Railways

Senior citizen rail concession is one of the most frequently searched — and most misunderstood — topics on IRCTC. Here's the current, practical picture.

Fare Concession Status

The blanket fare concession that once applied broadly to senior citizens (typically 58+ for women, 60+ for men) was suspended by Indian Railways in March 2020 and has not been reinstated as a general fare discount as of this writing. Always check the latest official IRCTC notification before assuming a discount applies, since railway concession policy has changed before and can change again.

What's Still Available for Senior Citizens

• Lower berth allocation preference — senior citizens (typically 60+, and women 45+) get priority for lower berths, even in general quota, subject to availability.
• Separate ticket counters at many stations for faster, dedicated service.
• Wheelchair and porter assistance can be requested in advance through IRCTC or at the station.
• Some state-specific or scheme-specific concessions may exist separately from the general railway fare concession — check with your state transport or railway zone for any local scheme.

How to Request Lower Berth Preference

While booking, most booking forms show a "Senior Citizen" or berth-preference option — select it, and enter the correct date of birth or age for the passenger. Allocation is subject to availability and isn't guaranteed, especially on Tatkal or heavily booked trains.

Always Verify Before Travel

Because concession rules have changed materially in the recent past, cross-check the current rule on the official irctc.co.in site or at the station before assuming any fare discount will apply.

Useful tools: IRCTC booking date calculator · Tatkal booking time · advance reservation period (ARP)