IRCTC Senior Citizen Quota

Senior citizen quota plays an important role in booking train tickets for males with a minimum of 60 years of age and females 58 years & above. A separate passenger reservation system (PRS) has been established to book train tickets under the senior citizen quota. IRCTC ensures senior citizens a convenient yet comfortable travel experience by introducing a quota on booking train tickets. Under the senior citizen quota in IRCTC, a certain number of seats are allotted for elderly passengers. This quota increases the chances of ticket confirmation, especially during the peak season.

Senior citizens are typically allocated lower berths in trains to ensure comfortable travel, especially for those with health issues and mobility challenges. Climbing to middle or upper berths can be difficult for elderly passengers, so opting for the senior citizen quota increases the likelihood of receiving a lower berth. For example, a senior citizen travelling alone or with another elderly person from Jaipur to Delhi under a single PNR would be assigned a lower berth if available. Additionally, railway stations provide wheelchairs, making travel more convenient for the elderly. Major stations offer "Yatri Mitra Sewa" by IRCTC, which provides wheelchair and porter services upon request. If lower berths are unavailable at the time of booking, senior citizens are entitled to any vacant lower berths during the journey. Separate counters at Passenger Reservation System (PRS) centers are designated to handle reservation requests from senior citizens. Let us explore the eligibility criteria, application steps, and travel tips to ensure a smooth booking process for senior citizens.

Below are essential eligibility criteria for passengers who wish to opt for the senior citizen quota in IRCTC.

• Applicable for male passengers of 60 years of age & above and females 58 years and above.
• Two senior citizens can travel with the same PNR number under this quota.
• Applicable for female passengers of age 45 and above travelling alone.

Find the step-by-step tutorial on how to book train tickets under the senior citizen quota on redRail.

• Step 1: Visit the redRail website or application.
• Step 2: Enter the travel date and journey details and click on the search trains button.
• Step 3: Click on the Quota button and choose the senior citizen quota from the drop-down menu.
• Step 4: Click on the Confirm button to proceed with the booking process.
• Step 5: A list of trains for the desired route will be displayed on the screen.
• Step 6: Select the train from the available list and class of travel.
• Step 7: Enter the passenger name, gender, age, berth preference and meal preference (optional). Also, add contact details, such as mobile number, email address and state, to proceed with the payment process.
• Step 8: Make the payment to confirm the ticket booking.
• Step 9: Once the payment process is completed, you will get a confirmation via email or text message.
• Step 10: Download the ticket and save the PNR number for future reference.

Follow some basic rules before booking train tickets in the senior citizen quota in IRCTC.

• Passengers must ensure that they have the necessary documents, such as an Aadhaar card, at the time of booking.
• Download the redRail app for a seamless train ticket booking experience under the senior citizen quota.
• Create an IRCTC account in advance if you don’t have one.
• Keep alternate travel dates if the seats are unavailable for the travel date you are booking.
• When opting for the senior citizen quota, enter the correct age and gender to avoid last-minute inconvenience. Ensure the details mentioned match the ID proof shown at the time of the journey.
• Book train tickets in advance as the seats might not be available due to high demand or peak season.
• Stay updated about cancellation policies for senior citizens, which will be the same as for the general tickets.

Below is some travel-related information for senior citizens to experience a hassle-free journey.

• Make sure to carry valid IDs while travelling on the train.
• Arrive early at the railway station so senior citizens can board the train comfortably.
• Carry essential things, such as water bottles, medicines, food and other necessities while travelling in the train.
• Seek special assistance from railway staff at major stations for wheelchairs or porter services.
• Keep personal belongings safe and secure while travelling.
• Choose AC coaches for travelling or carry blankets to keep them warm, especially during the night journey.
• Use assistance to board or deboard the train.
• Arrange transportation from the railway station to reach the destination.
• Keep track of train schedules or delays in trains to avoid inconvenience.

Below are some of the advantages of opting for the senior citizen quota for train ticket booking.

• Reserved seats: Seats are reserved for elderly passengers. The senior citizen quota ensures access to seats even during high demand or peak seasons.
• Assistance: If the passenger is booking at the railway station, they have dedicated staff in assisting them with the booking-related information. Senior citizens will be able to book tickets and seek assistance for a hassle-free booking experience. If the passenger is booking train tickets online, they have user-friendly platforms that make the booking process easy and convenient.
• Lower Berths: Senior citizens are allotted with lower berths if the seats are available. This makes it easier for elderly passengers to travel with mobility issues.
• Special Amenities: Several trains such as mail, express, rajdhani, shatabdi, duronto ,and others and major railway stations provide special amenities for senior citizens. They have dedicated waiting areas, wheelchairs and assistance for boarding the train. It ensures a smoother and comfortable travel experience for senior citizens.

The senior citizen quota on Indian trains enhances travel accessibility for elderly passengers by reserving seats. Senior citizens can enjoy a comfortable train journey by booking early, selecting the correct quota, and ensuring all documentation is accurate. If you wish to book train tickets for elderly people falling under the senior citizen quota category, visit the redRail website or application for a seamless booking process