Passengers traveling in the newly introduced Amrit Bharat and Vande Bharat Sleeper trains have received a significant update regarding ticket reservations. The Railway Board has issued a new circular on February 9, 2026, announcing the introduction of an ‘Emergency Quota’ (EQ) in these trains. Before this order, there was no provision for emergency seats in these specific trains, and passengers could only avail of quotas for women, physically challenged individuals, senior citizens, and duty passes. This new facility aims to help people with urgent travel requirements.
Seat Allocation Details for New Trains
According to the directive issued by Sanjay Manocha, Director of Passenger Marketing, specific berths have been identified for this quota. In Amrit Bharat trains that have seven or more sleeper class coaches, the board has reserved 24 berths specifically for the emergency quota. For the Vande Bharat Sleeper trains, the number of reserved seats varies depending on the class of travel and the day of the week.
Vande Bharat Sleeper EQ Breakdown:
| Class | Weekday Quota | Weekend Quota |
|---|---|---|
| First AC (1A) | 4 Berths | 6 Berths |
| Second AC (2A) | 20 Berths | 30 Berths |
| Third AC (3A) | 24 Berths | 42 Berths |
Eligibility and Booking Rules
The Emergency Quota is often referred to as the VIP quota and is not open for direct booking by the general public through the IRCTC website. This quota is primarily meant for High Official Requisition (HOR), which includes Ministers, Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, and Members of Parliament. However, common passengers facing genuine emergencies can also request seats under this quota.
Requests are considered for urgent medical situations, family bereavements, or important job interviews, subject to verification. It is important to note that these trains do not offer Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC). Passengers will either get a confirmed berth or remain on the waiting list. This new rule will apply from the Advance Reservation Period or the first date where bookings are not yet open.