Railway journey in India is an important means for people of all ages, but it becomes even more important for senior citizens i.e. senior citizens. With aging, the need for convenience, safety and convenience increases with aging. Indian Railways has been bringing special facilities for senior citizens from time to time, so that their travel can be easy and comfortable. In 2025, the Railways announced two new major facilities for senior citizens, which will directly benefit millions of elderly passengers.
The purpose of these facilities is not only to make the journey of the elderly comfortable, but also give them financial and physical relief. Earlier, senior citizens used to get ticket exemption, but the facility was discontinued after Kovid-19. Now the railway has again brought relief for senior citizens. In this article, we will know in detail what new facilities are going to get the senior citizens in 2025, what are their benefits, and how can they be taken advantage of.
Senior Civil Railway Facilities 2025
In 2025, Indian Railways announced two main facilities for senior citizens:
- Lower Berth Quota
- Restoration of train ticket discount
The purpose of these two facilities is to make the journey of senior citizens safe, comfortable and economical. The table below has a brief overview of these facilities.
| facility Name | Description |
| Lower berth quota | Lower birth reservation for senior citizens in all classes |
| Train ticket discount | Plan for rebate re -ticket in 2025 |
| Wheelchair facility | Free wheelchair available at station |
| Battery vehicle facility | Movement from battery operated vehicle inside the station |
| Special reservation counter | Separate ticket booking counter for the elderly |
| Alternative berth allotment | Empty lower berths can be given to the elderly after leaving the train |
| Digital ticketing option | Easy process for senior citizens in online ticket booking |
| Age Verification | Age verification compulsory for exemption and quota |
Lower Birth Kota: Big Relief for Senior Citizen
Indian Railways has further strengthened the facility of lower birth quota for senior citizens. Now elderly passengers in sleeper, AC 3 tier, and AC 2 tier class will get lower berths on priority basis. This feature is applicable to men above 60 years and women above 45 years.
Benefits of lower berth quota
- Comfortable travel: The elderly will not have trouble climbing.
- Security: It is more safe to stay on the lower berth at night.
- Automatic allotment: While booking tickets, the system will automatically allot the lower berth, if available.
- Separate quota: Every coach has been reserved separately for senior citizens.
Who will get the benefit?
- 60 years or older men
- 45 years or older women
- Pregnant women
How to get lower berth quota?
- Select senior citizens at the time of ticket booking.
- Show Aadhaar card or other age certificate.
- Priority will be given to travel alone or with a relative.
Return of train ticket discount
After Kovid-19, ticket discounts received by senior citizens were discontinued. But in 2025, the Railways plans to start a train ticket discount again. This exemption will be given according to different classes.
Proposed discount rates
| Class | Current discount | Proposed exemption 2025 |
| Sleeper | nobody | 30% |
| AC 3 Tier | nobody | 20% |
| AC 2 Tier | nobody | 15% |
| AC 1 Tier | nobody | 10% |
| General | nobody | 25% |
| Non-peak season | N/A | Additional 5% |
| Off-season | N/A | Additional 10% |
Benefits of ticket discount
- Economic relief: Direct savings in travel expenses to the elderly.
- More travel opportunities: Senior citizens can travel more to meet family, religious travel or walk.
- Digital ticketing: To get discounts, online ticket booking will also be available.
- Age verification: Aadhaar card will be necessary to avail exemption.
Who can take this discount?
- 60 years or older men
- 58 years or older women (possible changes)
Other major facilities of railway for senior citizens
Wheelchair and battery vehicle facility
- Railway stations have free wheelchairs and battery operation facilities.
- Elderly or disabled passengers can easily go from one end of the station to the other.
- This facility is mainly available at large stations, but gradually being launched at small stations.
Special reservation counter
- Railways have created separate reservation counters for elderly, disabled and women.
- These counters are given less crowds, early service and special attention.
Alternative berth allotment
- If a lower berth is empty after the train is released, it can be given to the senior citizen.
- For this, the conductor or train staff will have to be contacted.
How will senior citizens get the benefit of railway facilities?
- Online ticket booking: When booking tickets from IRCTC or Railway App, select ‘Senior Citizen’ option.
- Age proof: Put Aadhaar card or any valid ID at the time of ticket booking.
- Facility at the station: Contact the station master or help desk to avail wheelchairs, battery vehicles or special counters.
- Facility in the train: Talk to the train conductor for lower berths or other facilities.
Railways’s new initiative in 2025: Future plans
- Digital facility: Digital process is being made easier for ticket booking and exemption for the elderly.
- Help Desk at the station: There is a plan to start senior citizen help desk at every major station.
- Feedback System: Facilities will be improved further by taking feedback from passengers.
Benefits of railway facilities for senior citizens
- Economic Savings: Travel cheaper by ticket discounts.
- Security and convenience: Easy to travel by lower berths, wheelchairs and battery vehicles.
- Honor and priority: Respect in society increases by giving priority to the elderly.
- Health: Long -distance travel has a good effect on health and convenience.
Important questions and answers related to senior citizen railway facilities
Q1: Will all trains get lower birth quota?
Yes, this feature is available in sleeper, AC 3 tier, AC 2 tier and some other classes.
Q2: Which documents are necessary for ticket discounts?
Aadhaar card or any valid age certificate is necessary.
Q3: Will this discount will also be available in group booking?
In most cases, traveling alone or with a relative gives priority.
Q4: Is wheelchair facility at every station?
There is definitely at big stations, facilities are also being increased at small stations.
Q5: Will ticket discounts be available in every class?
As per the proposed plan, there will be discounts in sleeper, general, AC 3 tier, AC 2 tier, AC 1 tier.
Some special things related to senior citizen facilities of railway
- Priority in the festive season: The elderly are more likely to get lower births during festivals.
- Online update: Information about new facilities on the railway website or app will continue to be received from time to time.
- Feedback necessary: Railway is constantly improving facilities by taking suggestions from elderly passengers.
conclusion
In 2025, Indian Railways announced two major facilities for senior citizens-loar berth quota and train ticket discount-cu. Both these facilities not only make the journey of the elderly easier and safe, but also give them financial relief. This initiative of the railway is a big step for the respect and convenience of the elderly. If you or your family has a senior citizen, then take full advantage of these facilities and make the journey memorable.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on the new facilities declared by the Railways for senior citizens. At present, the Railways has proposed the ticket exemption scheme, but the final announcement and implementation date will be decided only after the official information of the railway. Lower berth quota and other facilities are already applicable, but the final decision on the discount scheme is yet to come. Please take the latest information from the railway website or nearby station before the journey.
