Indian Railways Ticket Concession Rules For Senior Citizens, Others Explained
Indian Railways offers a concession on ticket prices while booking from Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website or from ticket counter to select categories of passengers. These include senior citizens, students, government award winners, patients and persons with disabilities, according to Indian Railways' website - www.indianrail.gov.in. Except senior citizens, the concession on Indian Railways tickets is admissible on production of the requisite certificate from the concerned person, according to the Railways website. The documents issued by organizations in other countries are not be valid for the purpose of concession, according to Indian Railways. (Also read: IRCTC Tourism offers 7-day tour to Mysore, Ooty, Coorg starting at Rs. 31,900/person)
Here are details of the concession offered by the Indian Railways (IRCTC) to passengers in the senior citizen, student and medical professional categories:
| S.No | CATEGORY OF PERSONS | PERCENTAGE ELEMENT OF CONCESSION |
|---|---|---|
| I | Disabled passengers | |
| 1 | Orthopaedically Handicapped/ Paraplegic persons alongwith an escort (cannot travel without escort) traveling for any purpose | -- 75% in 2nd class, SL, 1st class, 3AC, AC chair car -- 50% in 1AC and 2 AC -- 25% in 3AC & AC Chair Car of Rajdhani/Shatabdi trains -- 50% in MST & QST -- One escort is also eligible for same element of concession |
| 2 | Blind persons traveling alone or with an escort for any purpose | |
| 3 | Mentally retarded persons traveling with an escort for any purpose | |
| 4 | Deaf & Dumb persons (both afflictions together in the same person) traveling alone or with an escort for any purpose. | -- 50% in 2nd class, SL, 1st class -- 50% in MST & QST -- One escort is also eligible for same element of concession |
| II | Patients | |
| 5 | Cancer patients traveling alone or with an escort for treatment/periodic check-up. | -- 75% in 2nd class, 1st class, AC chair car -- 100% in SL & 3AC -- 50% in 1AC & 2AC -- One escort eligible for same element of concession(except in SL and 3AC where escort gets 75%) |
| 6 | Thalassemia patients traveling alone or with an escort for treatment/periodic check-up | -- 75% in 2nd class, SL, 1st class, 3AC, AC chair car -- 50% in 1AC & 2AC -- One escort is also eligible for same element of concession |
| 7 | Heart patients traveling alone or with an escort for heart surgery | |
| 8 | Kidney patients traveling alone or with an escort for kidney transplant Operation/Dialysis | |
| 9 | Haemophilia Patients - severe & moderate form of disease - traveling alone or with an escort for treatment/periodical check up. | -- 75% in 2nd class, SL, 1st class, 3AC, AC chair car -- One escort is also eligible for same element of concession |
| 10 | T.B./Lupas Valgaris patients traveling alone or with an escort for treatment/periodic check-up | -- 75% in 2nd class, SL, 1st class -- One escort is also eligible for same element of concession |
| 11 | Non-infectious Leprosy patients - for treatment/periodic checkup. | |
| 12 | AIDS patients - for treatment/check-up at nominated ART Centres | -- 50% in 2nd class -- 50% in MST & QST -- One escort is also eligible for same element of concession |
| 13 | Ostomy patients - traveling for any purpose. | |
| 14 | Patients suffering from Aplastic Anaemia travelling for treatment/periodical check-up to recognized hospitals by Mail/Express Trains. | -- 50% in basic fares of SL, AC-2-tier, 3AC, AC chair car classes.  |
| 15 | Patients suffering from Sickle Cell Anaemia travelling for treatment/periodical check-up to recognized hospitals by Mail/Express Trains. | -- 50% in basic fares of SL, AC-2-tier, 3AC, AC chair car classes.  |
| III | Senior Citizens | |
| 16 | Men - 60 years and above Women - 58 years and above - traveling for any purpose. | -- 40% in all classes -- 50% in all classes -- Also in Rajdhani/ Shatabdi/ Duronto trains |
| IV | Awardees | |
| 17 | Recipients of Presidents Police Medal for Distinguished Service and Indian Police Award for Meritorious services, after the age of 60 - traveling for any purpose. | -- 50% for men -- 60% for women -- In all classes and Rajdhani/ Shatabdi/Jan Shatabdi trains also |
| 18 | Shram Awardees - Industrial Workers awarded the Prime Minister's Shram Award for Productivity and Innovation - traveling for any purpose. | -- 75% in 2nd and SL class |
| 19 | National Awardee Teachers - honoured with National Award by the President of India for exemplary service in the field of education - traveling for any purpose. | -- 50% in 2nd and SL class |
| 20 | Either of parents accompanying the Child Recipients of National Bravery Award - traveling for any purpose. | -- 50% in 2nd and SL class |
| V | War Widows | |
| 21 | War Widows - traveling for any purpose. | -- 75% in 2nd and SL class |
| 22 | Widows of Policemen and Paramilitary personnel killed in action against Terrorists and Extremists - traveling for any purpose. | -- 75% in 2nd and SL class |
| 23 | Widows of I.P.K.F. Personnel killed in action in Sri Lanka - traveling for any purpose. | -- 75% in 2nd and SL class |
| 24 | Widows of defence personnel killed in action against terrorists & extremists Extremists - traveling for any purpose. | -- 75% in 2nd and SL class |
| 25 | Widows of Martyrs of Operation Vijay in Kargil in 1999 traveling for any purpose. | -- 75% in 2nd and SL class |
| VI | Students | |
| 26 | Students going to hometown and educational tours : - -- General Category - -- SC/ST Category - -- Girls upto Graduation and boys upto 12th standard (including students of Madrasa) between home & school (MST) | -- 50% in 2nd and SL class -- 50% in MST and QST -- 75% in 2nd and SL class -- 75% in MST and QST -- Free second class MST |
| 27 | Students of Govt. schools in rural areas - for study tour - once a year. | -- 75% in 2nd class |
| 28 | Entrance exam - Girls of Govt. schools in rural areas for national level for medical, engineering, etc. entrance exam | -- 75% in 2nd class |
| 29 | Concession to students appearing in main written examination conducted by UPSC & Central Staff Selection Commissions. | -- 50% in 2nd class |
| 30 | Foreign students studying in India - traveling to attend camps/seminars organised by Govt. of India and also visit to places of historical & other importance during vacations. | -- 50% in 2nd and SL class |
| 31 | Research scholars upto the age of 35 years - for journeys in connection with research work. | -- 50% in 2nd and SL class |
| 32 | Students and non-students participating in Work Camps | -- 25% in 2nd and SL class |
| 33 | Cadets and Marine Engineers apprentices undergoing Navigational/ Engineering training for Mercantile Marine - for travel between home and training ship. | -- 50% in 2nd and SL class |
| VII | Youths | |
| 34 | Youths attending National Integration Camps of :- (a) National Youth Project (b) Manav Uththan Sewa Sami ti | -- 50% in 2nd and SL class -- 40% in 2nd and SL class< |
| 35 | Unemployed youths : (i) To attend interview for job in Public Sector Organisations (i.e. Central/ State Govt offices, Statutory Bodies, Municipal Corporation, Govt Under-taking, University or Public Sector Body.) (ii) To attend interviews for jobs in Central & State Govt. | -- 50% in 2nd and SL class -- 100% in 2nd class -- 50% in SL class |
| 36 | Bharat Scouts & Guides - for scouting duty. | -- 50% in 2nd and SL class |
| VIII | Kisans | |
| 37 | Kisans and Industrial Labourers - for visit to agricultural/industrial exhibitions. | -- 25% in 2nd and SL class |
| 38 | Kisans traveling by Govt. sponsored Special trains. | -- 33% in 2nd and SL class |
| 39 | Kisans & Milk Producers - visit to National level Institutes for learning/raining better farming/ dairy | -- 50% in 2nd and SL class |
| 40 | Delegates for attending Annual Conferences of : (i) Bharat Krishak Samaj and (ii) Sarvodaya Samaj, Wardha. | -- 50% in 2nd and SL class |
| IX | Artists and Sportspersons | |
| 41 | Artistes - for performance. | -- 75% in 2nd class, SL class -- 50% in 1st & AC chair car, 3AC, 2AC -- 50% in of Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Jan Shatabdi AC Chair car, 3AC & 2AC trains |
| 42 | Film Technicians - Travelling for film production related work | -- 75% in SL class -- 50% in 1st & AC chair car, 3AC, 2AC -- Including Rajdhani/Shatabdi |
| 43 | Sportsmen participating in : (i) All India and State tournaments (ii) National tournaments | -- 75% in 2nd and SL class -- 50% in 1st class -- 75% in 2nd, SL class -- 50% in 1st class |
| 44 | Persons taking part in Mountaineering Expeditions organised by IMF | -- 75% in 2nd and SL class -- 50% in 1st class |
| 45 | Press Correspondents accredited to Headquarters of Central & State Governments/Union Territories/ Districts - for press work. Spouse/Companion/Dependent children (upto 18 yrs) | -- 50% in all classes and in all inclusive fares of Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Jan Shatabdi trains. -- 50% concession twice every financial year. |
| X | Medical Professionals | |
| 46 | Doctors Allopathic - traveling for any purpose. | -- 10% in all classes and Rajdhani/ Shatabdi/Jan Shatabdi trains |
| 47 | Nurses & Midwives - for leave and duty. | -- 25% in 2nd and SL class |
| XI | Others (Conference, Camps, Tours etc) | |
| 48 | Delegates for attending Annual Conferences certain All India bodies of social/cultural/educational importance. | -- 25% in 2nd and SL class |
| 49 | Bharat Sewa Dal, Bangalore - for attending camps/meetings/rallies/ trekking programmes. | -- 25% in 2nd and SL class |
| 50 | Volunteers of Service Civil International - for social service. | -- 25% in 2nd and SL class |
| 51 | Teachers of Primary, Secondary and Higher Secondary Schools - for educational tours. | -- 25% in 2nd and SL class |
| 52 | Members of St. John Ambulance Brigade and Relief Welfare Ambulance Corps, Calcutta - for ambulance camps/ competitions. | -- 25% in 2nd and SL class |
| XII | Izzat MST | |
| 53 | Izzat MST to persons with monthly income not exceeding 1500/-, working in unorganised sectors - for journeys upto maximum 100 Kms. | -- Rs. 25/- |
Here are five things to know about the Indian Railways' rules on concession on train tickets:
1. All concessional fares are calculated on the basis of fares for mail/express trains irrespective of the type of train, (mail, express or passenger) by which the passenger travels, according to the Railways website.
(Also read: IRCTC Tourism offers 7-day tour to Ladakh: Fares and other details here)
2. Only one type of concession is admissible at a time on choice of the passenger.
3. In the case of senior citizens, no proof of age is required at the time of purchasing tickets. The concession tickets are issued on demand made through the option in reservation form. However, the senior citizens are required to carry some documentary proof showing their age or date of birth and produce it if demanded by some Railway Official during the journey.
(Also read: Indian Railways reservation - How to change journey dates, upgrade booking class and other key details)
4. The holder of a concession ticket is not permitted to change the ticket to a higher class even by paying the difference of actual fares.
5. The concession is not granted for any journey the cost of which is borne by the central or state government, according to the Railways website.
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