Indian Railways has introduced significant changes to the concession facilities provided to disabled passengers across the country. The new system integrates the Unique Disability ID (UDID) issued by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, making it easier for passengers to avail ticket discounts. This move aims to simplify the documentation process and improve accessibility for millions of railway users by linking their disability records directly to their travel identity.
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Key updates for Divyangjan passengers and concession rules
- Indian Railways officially recognizes the UDID card for issuing Railway Divyangjan ID cards and booking tickets.
- Revised formats for concession certificates for various disabilities, including a new definition for blindness, are now in place.
- Existing certificates and railway identity cards will remain valid until their specified expiry dates or until June 2025.
- The term mentally retarded persons has been replaced with persons with intellectual disability in all railway forms and circulars.
- Application for concession cards can be completed online via the Indian Railways portal or Jan Suvidha Kendra, removing the need to visit DRM offices.
How to avail of the new railway concession benefits
Disabled passengers are eligible for fare discounts ranging from 25% to 75% depending on the class of travel and the category of their disability. One escort traveling with an eligible passenger is also granted the same percentage of concession. The validity of the Railway Divyangjan Photo Identity Card is now linked to the validity of the passenger’s UDID card.
To apply for a railway concession card, passengers must provide essential documents including a UDID card or disability certificate, Aadhaar card, residence proof, and passport-sized photographs. The process has been streamlined through the Indian Railways Divyangjan portal to ensure that medical authorities issue the necessary certificates within a mandatory three-month window following diagnosis.