The Ministry of Railways has officially revised the travel entitlements for its employees regarding the Chair Car (CC) class in Shatabdi Express trains. According to the directive issued by the Railway Board on July 30, 2026, under order number 2026/E(W)/01/09/6, the entitlement for specific categories of railway servants has been rationalized to align with the 3-AC class standards of Rajdhani and Duronto Express trains.
- Target Group: Employees in Pay Level in Pay Matrix (PLPM) 11 to 17.
- Increased Entitlement: Eligibility increased from two seats to four seats.
- Applicable Passes: Privilege Pass (PP), Post Retirement Complimentary Pass (PRCP), and Widow Pass (WP).
- Technical Implementation: CRIS/PRS and HRMS modules are being updated to reflect these changes.
Details of the Revised Entitlement
This policy update modifies the existing guidelines previously established in the Board’s letter dated October 28, 2022. By increasing the seat entitlement from two to four, the Railway Board aims to provide greater convenience to senior railway servants during their travels. This decision ensures consistency across different modes of travel, mirroring the rationalized entitlements already in place for Duty Passes.
The proposal underwent a rigorous review process, involving consultations with the Commercial (PM) Directorate and the Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways. After receiving approval from the Competent Authority, the order was formally issued and signed by Rashmi Dahiya.
System Updates for Implementation
To ensure that the new rules are applied seamlessly, the Railway Board has directed the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) to make necessary modifications to the Passenger Reservation System (PRS) and the e-Pass module within the Human Resource Management System (HRMS). Employees falling under the eligible pay levels (PLPM 11-17) will be able to avail of these enhanced seat provisions once the digital systems are updated. This move is part of the ongoing efforts by the Indian Railways to streamline administrative procedures and improve the welfare benefits available to its workforce.