People from all walks and spheres of lives go viral of internet and the latest in the list is an Indian Railways Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE)!
Why Senior Citizens Don’t Always Get Lower Berths and How the Quota Really Works?
The TTE went viral after explaining in a video as to why senior citizens do not always get lower berths while traveling—a topic that often leaves passengers puzzled.
The video, shot on the Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express, has helped passengers understand seat allotments under the senior citizen quota, which is often a source of confusion.
In the clip, the TTE addresses passengers directly: “Today we are on train 2424, the Dibrugarh Rajdhani. Four senior citizens on this ticket received middle and upper berths instead of lower berths. They asked why this happened” he explains.
The TTE explained that in order to avail the senior citizen quota and get lower berths, only two passengers should be booked on a single ticket. He clarified that in case more than two seniors are included, or if a senior travel with non-senior passengers on the same PNR, the benefits of the quota do not apply.
He added that the Indian Railways’ Passenger Reservation System automatically prioritizes lower berths for senior citizens when traveling alone or with one other eligible senior. However, if the booking includes more than two seniors, or a mix of seniors and non-seniors, the system treats it as a general quota booking, which further reduces the likelihood of receiving lower berths.
IRCTC Clarifies Senior Citizen Quota Rules; TTE Video Helps Passengers Understand Lower Berth Allotments
This video has been received well and has been widely appreciated for the simplification of this rule, as it would help the passengers to book more effectively in future.
Earlier in August, IRCTC also clarified on X (formerly Twitter) that lower berths under the senior citizen quota are reserved only for male passengers aged 60+ and female passengers aged 45+ when traveling alone or with one eligible passenger on the same ticket. Exceeding this number or traveling with a non-senior cancels the quota eligibility.
Additional guidance by Railways when it comes to senior citizen quota allotments:
- If the Lower berths are available, then they are automatically assigned to senior citizens and women aged 45+.
- In each coach, six to seven lower berths in Sleeper Class, four to five in AC 3-tier, and three to four in AC 2-tier are reserved for eligible passengers.
- A minimum of seven seats in both the first and last second-class general compartments are reserved for seniors on suburban sections across all zones.
Passengers do not need proof of age while booking but must carry valid age identification during travel and present it if requested by ticket-checking staff.
Summary
A viral video by an Indian Railways TTE on the Dibrugarh Rajdhani explains why senior citizens don’t always get lower berths. Only two eligible seniors per ticket qualify for the quota; extra passengers or non-seniors cancel it. IRCTC clarifies lower berths are automatically allotted to men 60+, women 45+, with reserved berths in all coaches, simplifying bookings for passengers.
