A post on X has raised a serious debate over how Indian Railways assigns berths to senior citizens. An X user claimed that he booked a ticket for an 82-year-old woman and was allotted an upper berth. As soon as the post went viral, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) responded to the tweet, clarifying the seating allotment. Read on to know more about the development.
X User Raises Concerns About Seat Allotment In Indian Trains
Recently an X user, Babu Bisleri, shared a tweet claiming that he booked a ticket for an 82-year-old woman and was allotted an upper berth despite other seats being available. He wrote, “Booked a ticket for an 82-year-old lady, and @IRCTCOfficial allotted an upper berth (even though there were many seats available). Now the same lower berths will be sold at high rates in premium tatkal. Also, well done in removing the senior citizen quota, @AshwiniVaishnaw.”
Also Read: MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 Announced With Egypt’s Khufu’s At Top; List Inside
As soon as the tweet went viral, IRCTC clarified the rules regarding lower berth allocation for senior citizens and female passengers above 45 years old.
IRCTC Responds To The Tweet
Responsign to the tweet, IRCTC wrote, “Sir, in the computerised reservation system of Indian Railways, there is a provision for allotting lower berths automatically to senior citizens and female passengers above the age of 45 years, even if no choice is given. It is, however, subject to the availability of such lower berths at the time of booking. It is also informed that at the time of booking reserved tickets through the internet, there is a provision to opt for booking only if a lower berth is available. In such a case a ticket shall be booked only if a lower berth is available. Moreover, on Indian Railways, reserved accommodation can be booked on a first-come, first-served basis, and the berth of choice is allotted subject to availability.”
More About Senior Citizen Quota On Indian Railways
According to NDTV, earlier an Indian Railway Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) also went viral after he explained why senior citizens do not always receive lower berths while travelling. The video, shot on the Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express, talked about how the seat allocation rule works for senior citizens, helping people understand the allocation system.
Also Read:Â CT Review: At Silq In Delhi, Meals Begin With Itr, Taste Like A Silk Route Story, & End With Mukhwaas
In the video, he stated that if someone wishes to avail themselves of the senior citizen quota and get a lower berth, only two passengers should be booked on a single ticket. The quota benefits lapse if someone includes more than two people on the same ticket.
What are your opinions on Indian Railways’ berth allocation? Let us know in the comments!
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons/Vikramaditya V.V & X/Babu Bisleri
For more such snackable content, interesting discoveries and the latest updates on food, travel and experiences in your city, download the Curly Tales App. Download HERE.