In a major relief for the academic community, Indian Railways has officially restored a 50 percent travel concession for the students of Chandra Shekhar Azad (CSA) University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur. This facility, which was unavailable for the last 19 years, was reinstated following an announcement on July 28, 2026. The move is set to benefit over 3,000 students enrolled at the university, many of whom hail from 21 different states across India.
- Concession amount: 50 percent discount on basic fares.
- Applicable classes: Second Class Seating (2S) and Sleeper (SL) only.
- Age eligibility: Under 25 years (Extended to 27 years for SC/ST students).
- Booking method: Offline only; special coupons required from university administration.
How to Avail the Railway Concession
To utilize this benefit, students must obtain special coupons issued by the university administration. When booking tickets at railway counters, students are required to present a duly filled, signed, and stamped concession form along with their valid student ID. Please note that this facility cannot be availed through online booking platforms like IRCTC; all transactions must be processed at physical railway booking counters.
The 50 percent discount applies strictly to the basic fare. Students must bear in mind that additional costs such as reservation fees, superfast surcharges, catering charges, and GST must be paid in full. Furthermore, each passenger is entitled to only one type of railway concession at a time.
Restoring a Long-Lost Benefit
The revival of this facility was a priority for the university leadership. Vice-Chancellor Dr. Sanjeev Gupta, who personally utilized such concessions during his own student years, collaborated with the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of the Prayagraj Division of North Central Railway to bring the scheme back. Dean Student Welfare, Dr. Mukesh Srivastava, confirmed that the concession is intended to support students traveling for home visits after semesters, educational tours, and research-related projects.
This initiative marks a significant step in reducing the financial burden on students, ensuring that academic travel remains accessible for those pursuing their studies away from their home states.