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Senior Citizens Facilities in Indian Railway (2026)
Indian Railways provides several facilities to make train travel easier and safer for senior citizens, from an automatic lower berth quota to wheelchair and buggy services at stations. This guide explains all the current senior citizen facilities, the concession position, and how to use each benefit, in simple words.
Important 2026 update on concessions: Senior citizen fare concessions remain suspended. They were withdrawn from 20 March 2020 during the pandemic and have not been restored. At present, Railways gives fare concessions only to Divyangjan (persons with disabilities), 11 categories of patients, and students. However, the lower berth quota and station facilities for senior citizens continue as normal. Confirm the latest position at the counter, as this is a much-discussed topic that could change.
Who is a Senior Citizen on Indian Railways?
- Male senior citizen: 60 years and above.
- Female senior citizen: 58 years and above.
These age limits are used for the facilities that apply to senior citizens, such as the lower berth quota.
- Lower Berth Quota for Senior Citizens (Still Active)
- Senior Citizen Concession (Currently Suspended)
- Facilities at Stations for Senior Citizens
- Give Up Scheme (Forgo Concession)
- Frequently Asked Questions
Lower Berth Quota for Senior Citizens (Still Active)
This is the most useful facility that continues fully, and it is unaffected by the concession suspension. In the computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS), lower berths are allotted automatically to eligible passengers, subject to availability at the time of booking:
- Male senior citizens aged 60 years and above.
- Female senior citizens and women aged 45 years and above, even if no berth choice is given.
- Pregnant women, on request.
There is also an on-board provision: after the train departs, if lower berths are vacant, the ticket checking staff can allot a vacant lower berth to a senior citizen, a person with disability, or a pregnant woman who was given an upper or middle berth. Just approach the TTE on board.
Reserved accommodation is also earmarked for senior citizens during specified hours on the suburban sections of Central Railway and Western Railway in Mumbai. For more, see our Lower Berth Quota in Trains guide.
Senior Citizen Concession (Currently Suspended)
For reference, the concession that applied before the 2020 suspension was:
| Passenger | Concession (when active) |
|---|---|
| Male senior citizen (60+) | 40% in Mail, Express, Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto and similar trains |
| Female senior citizen (58+) | 50% in the same categories |
| Transgender senior citizen (60+) | 40% (introduced from 1 January 2019) |
As noted above, this fare concession is currently not available. Only Divyangjan, patients and students receive concessions at present. For the full picture, see our Railway Concession Rules guide.
Facilities at Stations for Senior Citizens
These facilities continue and are very useful for elderly passengers who need help moving through large stations.
Wheelchair Facility
Wheelchairs are provided at stations, usually escorted by a porter on payment. You can also book e-wheelchair services online through the railway portal. See our guide on booking wheelchair services at a railway station.
Buggy (Battery Operated Car) Service
Battery operated cars, or buggy services, run at many big stations to carry elderly and disabled passengers between the entrance and the platform. See our guide on buggy services at railway stations.
Yatri Mitra Sewa
Yatri Mitra Sewa helps senior citizens and disabled passengers by providing wheelchair-cum-porter assistance at major stations. It can be booked in advance. See our guide on how to book Yatri Mitra Sewa.
Give Up Scheme (Forgo Concession)
Introduced on 15 July 2017, the Give Up Scheme lets senior citizens who are eligible for the concession voluntarily give up part or all of it, as a contribution towards nation building. When the concession is active, at the time of booking a senior citizen can choose:
- Forgo Full Concession: book at full fare, giving up the entire concession.
- Forgo 50% Concession: take only half the concession and give up the other half.
These options appear under the “Option for Senior Citizen Concession” section of the passenger details form. Since the concession itself is currently suspended, this option applies whenever concessions are in force.
Shravan Seva facility for Senior Citizens
If you are a senior citizen then one happy news for you. Konkan Railways introduced one more new passenger facility exclusively for Senior Citizens. The Shravan Seva facility provides helping hands to aged peoples. Konkan Railway has introduced Shravan Seva” service for senior citizens traveling on its route which envisages providing an attendant to carry their luggage at boarding and alighting points free of cost. This facility is available only on Konkan Rail Line. The following are the details.
✅ What is the purpose of Shravan Seva ?
Shravan Seva facility introduced to help Senior Citizens providing Attendant to carry their luggage at boarding / alighting points.
✅ How to get Shravan Seva Facility?
For getting the Shravan Seva special facility need to SMS 4 hours in advance of their journey, indicating their PNR, Coach and Seat Number on Mobile No. 09664044456.
✅ Shravan Seva Facility Available Stations List
Chiplun, Ratnagiri, Thivim, Karmali and Madgaon Stations. Also Read:Bedroll In Train Online Purchase Facility Started on Indian Railways
✅ How Much Cost Required to pay for Shravan Seva Facility?
No. There is no payment required to get this facility. This is absolutely free of cost service. As per the railway’s latest announcement, more than 1600 passengers already used this facility now.
Other Facilities offered by Indian Railway to the disabled, medical patients, and elderly are Buggy Services or Platform Cars at Railway stations, wheelchair facility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do senior citizens get a fare concession in 2026?
No. Senior citizen fare concessions have been suspended since March 2020 and are not currently available. Only Divyangjan, patients and students get concessions now.
Do senior citizens still get a lower berth?
Yes. The automatic lower berth quota for senior citizens (men 60+, women 45+ and 58+) continues, subject to availability, and is unaffected by the concession suspension.
At what age is one a senior citizen on the railways?
60 years for men and 58 years for women.
Can a senior citizen get a wheelchair at the station?
Yes. Wheelchairs, buggy services and Yatri Mitra Sewa are available at major stations, and e-wheelchairs can be booked online.
Can I get a lower berth after boarding if I was given an upper berth?
Yes. If a lower berth falls vacant after departure, the TTE can allot it to an eligible senior citizen, person with disability or pregnant woman on request.
Quick Summary
| Fare concession | Suspended since March 2020 (not available now) |
| Lower berth quota | Active (men 60+, women 45+ and 58+) |
| Station help | Wheelchair, buggy, Yatri Mitra Sewa |
| Senior citizen age | Men 60+, women 58+ |
| Give Up Scheme | Forgo full or 50% concession (when concession is active) |
Even with the fare concession on hold, senior citizens still enjoy the valuable lower berth quota and full station assistance, which make train travel much easier. Keep your ID handy to prove age where needed, and book berths early for the best chance of a lower berth. For related reading, see our guides on Lower Berth Quota, Railway Concession Rules, and Ladies Quota in Trains.
Have a question about senior citizen facilities on trains? Ask in the comments, and we will help in simple words.