Indian Railways has introduced a major rule change that could affect millions of passengers hoping to book lower berths.
Starting August 1, 2025, not everyone will be eligible for a lower berth. This facility will now be reserved for certain categories of passengers only.
If you regularly travel by train and prefer a lower berth, you’ll need to be more careful while booking your ticket.
This change will directly impact elderly people, women, and differently-abled passengers, for whom the lower berth is often essential for comfort and safety.
Who Will Get the Lower Berth Now?
From August 1, 2025, the Railways will give lower berths on priority only to passengers in the following categories:
| Eligibility Category | Minimum Age/Status | Eligible for Lower Berth |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Citizen (Male) | 60 years or older | Yes |
| Senior Citizen (Female) | 58 years or older | Yes |
| Pregnant Women | With Valid Medical Certificate | Yes |
| Persons with Disabilities | With Valid UDID Card | Yes |
| Ordinary Travellers | No age limit | Only if seats are vacant |
Now, the system will automatically allot the lower berth to eligible passengers first. General passengers will only get a lower berth if it remains unbooked by priority passengers.
Why This Change Has Been Made
The main aim of this rule is to ensure that those who truly need the lower berth — especially senior citizens and disabled persons — get it.
Railways noticed that although demand for lower berths is high, many eligible passengers were missing out because of the random allotment system.
Lower berths are safer and more convenient for elderly and disabled passengers.
The earlier system did not prioritize based on need.
The new rule will make the allotment more systematic and fair.
Important Points to Remember While Booking
If you fall under one of the priority categories, keep these things in mind while booking your ticket:
Select the correct passenger category during booking.
Enter date of birth accurately if you’re a senior citizen.
Upload a valid certificate for pregnant or differently-abled passengers.
For group bookings, only eligible members will get lower berths.
If booking at a railway counter, make sure to make a special request for the lower berth.
Real Passenger Experience
One passenger shared his experience of booking a ticket for his 72-year-old mother in AC 3 Tier.
Even after choosing the lower berth option, she was allotted a middle berth, causing discomfort during the journey.
When he contacted the helpline, he was told the system assigns berths automatically.
This is the kind of issue the new rule aims to fix — so that genuinely deserving passengers don’t face such problems anymore.
