Berth Control: Railways Rewrites the Rules for Lower Seat Bookings

Updated: November 03, 2025 01:02

Image Source: Deccan Herald

Indian Railways has updated its lower berth booking policy to prioritize senior citizens, pregnant women, and differently-abled passengers. The new rules also clarify sleeping and seating hours and introduce a “book only if lower berth is available” option. These changes aim to make train travel more inclusive and passenger-friendly.

From Bottom to Top: Railways’ New Lower Berth Rules Put Comfort First

In a move to enhance passenger convenience and ensure equitable access to preferred seating, Indian Railways has reshuffled its lower berth booking rules, effective November 2025. The changes are part of a broader initiative to make train travel more inclusive, transparent, and digitally accessible, especially for vulnerable groups.

Key Highlights of the New Lower Berth Booking Rules:

Priority for Vulnerable Passengers

Senior citizens (above 60 years), pregnant women, and persons with disabilities will now get automatic priority for lower berths during booking.

This applies across all classes, including sleeper and AC coaches.

New Booking Option Introduced

Passengers can now select “Book only if lower berth is available” while reserving tickets online.

If a lower berth isn’t available, the system will not confirm the ticket, avoiding unwanted upper berth allocations.

Clarified Sleeping & Seating Hours

Railways has standardized sleeping hours from 10 PM to 6 AM, during which passengers are expected to avoid sitting on others’ berths.

Outside these hours, berths may be shared for seating, especially in sleeper class.

RailOne App Integration

The new rules are integrated into the RailOne super app, which allows booking of both reserved and unreserved tickets, and offers real-time updates on seat availability.

The app also supports digital ID verification and travel history tracking.

Advance Reservation Period (ARP) Reduced

The ARP has been shortened from 120 days to 60 days, making planning more flexible and reducing speculative bookings.

Transparency & Passenger Awareness

Indian Railways is launching an awareness campaign to educate passengers about the new rules, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.

Station staff and ticketing agents will be trained to assist passengers with the updated system.

These changes reflect Indian Railways’ commitment to passenger dignity and comfort, especially for those who need it most. With digital tools and clearer policies, the journey from platform to pillow just got a little smoother.

Sources: Indian Express, India.com, Deccan Herald

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