Indian Railways has outlined clear operational guidelines to ensure comfortable travel by prioritizing lower berth allocation for specific categories of passengers including senior citizens, women aged 45 and older, pregnant women, and passengers with disabilities. These automated rules are designed to assist eligible travelers during the ticket booking process without requiring manual selection. Men aged 60 and above and women aged 58 and above are classified as senior citizens, while women traveling alone who are 45 or older also receive priority. Pregnant women may occasionally need to provide medical documentation at booking counters, and passengers with disabilities along with their attendants have a dedicated quota covering both lower and middle berths.
Automated systems assign lower berths based on availability even if the option is not specifically selected during booking.
Each coach features a reserved quota of lower berths: 6 to 7 in Sleeper class, 4 to 5 in 3AC, and 3 to 4 in 2AC. In fully air-conditioned trains such as Rajdhani and Duronto, the allocation is 5 berths in 3AC and 4 in 2AC, though totals may vary based on specific coach configurations. During transit, Ticket Checking Staff (TTE) are authorized to reassign empty lower berths to eligible passengers who were initially allotted middle or upper berths.
Regarding coach etiquette, passengers occupying lower berths are permitted to sleep between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM, but must keep the berth available for sitting during all other hours.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed in a December 2025 Rajya Sabha statement that these automatic allotment rules remain in effect. These protocols, reinforced through recent updates, aim to standardize the comfort of travelers with special needs across the national railway network.
