Big Relief! Pregnant Women Can Now Book Lower Berths Online
In a major move to enhance passenger convenience, the Railway Board has officially approved the facility for pregnant women to book lower berths through both online and offline channels. This decision aims to simplify the travel experience for expectant mothers across the Indian Railways network.
Streamlined Process: No Doctor's Certificate Required
Previously, pregnant women traveling by train faced the hurdle of having to present a doctor's certificate of pregnancy at reservation counters to secure a lower berth. However, in an order issued on September 28, 2026, the board removed this long-standing requirement, making the process much smoother for passengers at reservation counters.
This new provision brings the booking rules for pregnant women in line with the existing combined lower-berth quota already reserved for senior citizens and female passengers aged 45 and older.
Understanding the Lower Berth Quota
To ensure priority for these passengers, the Railways earmarks specific numbers of lower berths in various coach classes:
- Sleeper Class: Approximately 6-7 lower berths.
- AC 3-Tier: 4-5 lower berths.
- AC 2-Tier: 3-4 lower berths.
The Role of the Delhi High Court
This policy shift follows significant scrutiny from the Delhi High Court. The court had issued notices to the Centre, the Railway Board, and the IRCTC regarding a Public Interest Litigation (PIL).
On September 16, 2026, the court emphasized that it is the responsibility of the Railways to ensure that their policy for prioritizing lower berths is implemented across all digital booking platforms, noting that IRCTC serves as an agent of the national carrier.
Technical Implementation and Current Status
While the priority policy was already in place, the IRCTC online platform previously lacked the functional mechanism to allow specific requests for these berths during the digital booking process. Following the board's approval, both IRCTC and the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) have been instructed to carry out the necessary technical modifications to their apps and web portals.
As of October 9, 2026, these technical updates are currently underway. Once the system integration is complete, the online facility will be fully operational.
Note: Until the online system is fully updated, lower berths are automatically assigned to pregnant women, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities whenever they are available, even if not specifically selected during the reservation process.