The Indian Railways provides a specific quota for senior citizens, which allows some concession to be availed while undertaking a booking for train tickets. This quota will also be instrumental in securing a lower berth as a senior is more comfortable travelling this way. There are rules surrounding this benefit that every traveler should be aware of. So, in this write-up, we will explain in detail the senior citizen quota. According to India Railways rules, the age requirement varies between men and women for claiming these benefits.
Age Requirement for Senior Citizens
- Male Passenger: Men should be 60 years or older.
- Female Passenger: Women should be 58 years or older.
Passengers can book tickets under the Senior Citizen Quota only if they meet this age requirement.
Important Rules for Ticket Booking
There are some rules to follow when booking a ticket under the Senior Citizen Quota. If you do not follow them, you may not get the benefits.
Number of Passengers: A maximum of two senior citizens can book a ticket together in one PNR. If two senior citizens travel together, they can use this quota.
More than Two Passengers: If more than two passengers are added in the same PNR, even if all are senior citizens, the ticket will be changed to General Quota. In this case, senior citizen benefits will not be available.
Senior Citizen and Corresponding Passenger: A ticket of a senior citizen carrying a passenger other than a senior citizen in the same PNR will be allocated to General Quota. For other passengers, there is no companion benefit like for Divyang ticket.
Lower Berth Facility: To make travel comfortable, Indian Railways tries to give lower berths to senior citizens. Booking under this quota increases the chances of getting a lower berth.
How to Book a Ticket
- Booking a ticket in the senior citizen quota through the IRCTC website or app is easy:
- Log in to the IRCTC website and enter your journey details (from, to, date).
- In the quota selection, choose “Lower Berth/Sr. Citizen” instead of “General.”
- Search for trains to see which trains have seats available in this quota.
- Enter passenger details and complete the booking process as usual.
Remember: Seats in the senior citizen quota are limited. Book your ticket well in advance. By following these rules, senior citizens can enjoy a comfortable journey with the benefits of this quota.