Indian Railways’ New Lower Berth Reservation Rules for 2025
Indian Railways has updated its lower berth reservation policies for 2025, prioritizing comfort for seniors, pregnant women, and passengers with disabilities. From revised sleeping hours to easier seat allocation, here’s a breakdown of the key changes.
1. Who Qualifies for Automatic Lower Berth Allocation?
Lower berths will be auto-allocated to:
– Senior citizens (60+ years)
– Pregnant women
– Passengers with disabilities
– Patients with medical certificates
– Women traveling alone (45+ years) (New in 2025)
2. New Sleeping Time Rules for Sleeper Coaches
To reduce disturbances, Indian Railways has formalized sleeping hours:
– 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM: Quiet hours—passengers must limit noise.
– Daytime (6:00 AM–10:00 PM): Middle/upper berth occupants must vacate seats for lower berth passengers.
3. How to Request a Lower Berth (Non-Priority Passengers)
If you need a lower berth for health reasons:
– Online: Tick “Request Lower Berth” on IRCTC.
– Offline: Submit a written request with medical proof at reservation counters.
Note: Availability is limited—book early.
4. Tatkal & Premium Tatkal Updates
- 10% more lower berths under Tatkal quota.
- Premium Tatkal: Guaranteed lower berth if booked within the first hour.
- Non-transferable: Tatkal lower berths cannot be reassigned.
5. What If You Get an Upper/Middle Berth?
- Request the Ticket Collector (TC) post-boarding.
- Use IRCTC’s paid “Upgrade to Lower Berth” feature if slots open.
6. Stricter Penalties for Misuse
Falsely claiming eligibility may lead to:
– Reservation cancellation.
– Temporary ban from future lower berth bookings.
7. New Digital Tools
- Real-time berth tracking (IRCTC app).
- Berth-swap feature (mutual consent).
- Auto-alerts for eligible passengers.
Conclusion
These 2025 rules aim to streamline train travel for vulnerable groups. Plan ahead, use digital tools, and respect quiet hours for a smoother journey.
