Being one of the biggest railway networks in the world, Indian Railways have always been known for pushing out all means to make convenient and easy travel for all passengers, including the ones having disabilities. In acknowledgment of the problems and social stigma associated with people with disabilities, Indian Railways takes care and provides convenient amenities, and concessions to make travel a bit easier on pocket and bit more pleasant with these extra services. These provisions are part of a broader initiative to work towards greater equity in and across the nation's transportation infrastructure.
In order to ensure a safe and respectful travel experience for people with disabilities, Indian Railways has also made several policies and initiatives. Among these initiatives are-
On non-suburban trains, there is a reserved seat in the sleeper class coaches for disabled passengers using concession tickets. A berth is also allotted for the escort who is travelling with the disabled person. When feasible, the computerized Passenger Reservation System assigns the disabled passenger at least one lower berth and, if not, nearby middle or upper berths for their companion.
Fare reductions are available for various types of disabled travellers. For instance, in the Second, Sleeper, First, AC Chair Car, and AC 3-tier classes, individuals who are orthopaedically handicapped or paraplegic along with their escorts are eligible for a 75% concession. In Second, Sleeper, and First Class, blind people and their escorts are eligible for a 50% discount. Similar accommodations are also made for mentally retarded people who require an escort to travel, as well as for deaf and dumb people.
Specially designed SLRD coaches of Indian Railways Offers More Features: Wheelchair accessible lavatory, wider aisle and wide entry doors, etc. The coaches have two lower berths and an upper berth for passengers with disabilities. Garib Rath trains have power cars with restrooms and disabled-accessible compartments.
Standard ramps with railings, designated parking spaces, non-slip walkways, obvious signage, accessible drinking water taps, ground floor restrooms, and specific "May I Help You" booths are among the amenities being added to stations. Major stations are seeing the installation of escalators to facilitate inter-platform transfers, and new lifts with push buttons with Braille scripts.
A quota of three percent is reserved for individuals with disabilities, which includes low vision or blindness, hearing impairment, cerebral palsy, and locomotor disability. In a number of railway services, attempts are made to fill positions designated for people with disabilities. These programes demonstrate Indian Railways' dedication to creating an inclusive atmosphere that enables people with disabilities to travel with dignity and ease. The railway's commitment to supporting the differently abled community throughout India is demonstrated by the ongoing improvements to its facilities and the substantial fare concessions that it offers.
Indian Railways provides a number of accommodations to guarantee fair access and comfortable travel for people with disabilities. These concessions include enhanced amenities at train stations, companion travel facilities, and special assistance services in addition to ticket fares. These are the different kinds of concessions that are offered:
Orthopedically Handicapped/Paraplegic Persons:
Blind Persons:
Indian Railways ensures that many people take advantage of the support available by offering concessions for a variety of disabilities. The following categories of disabilities are covered by the concession:
1. People who are paraplegic or orthopedically handicapped: Those who are unable to travel alone without an escort. The mentally retarded are those who require an escort in order to travel.
2. People who are blind: Those going it alone or with a guide.
3. People who are Deaf and Dumb: Those who travel alone or with an escort who suffer from both conditions.
The kind and severity of the disability determine which people are eligible for concessions. The precise qualifying requirements are as follows:
1. Orthopedically Handicapped/Paraplegic Persons:
2. Mental Illnesses in Persons:
3. Blind Persons:
4. Deaf Individuals:
In order to determine eligibility for concessions, disability is determined and evaluated according to the following standards:
1. Orthopedic Disability:
A physical disability that seriously limits one's range of motion and capacity to travel independently, which is approved by a qualified medical authority.
2. Mental Illness:
A mental illness that causes the mind's development to be stopped or incomplete, seriously impairing cognitive ability and adaptive behaviour, which is approved by a qualified medical authority.
3. Blindness:
Total loss of vision, visual acuity in the better eye with correcting lenses not exceeding 6/60 or 20/200 (Snellen), or restriction of the field of vision extending to an angle of 20 degrees or less, which is approved by a qualified medical authority.
4. Deafness:
Severe impairment of speech and hearing when both conditions coexist, which is approved by a qualified medical authority.
A qualified medical authority must certify the disability in order for these accommodations to be granted. Usually, this certification consists of:
There are some restrictions and exceptions to Indian Railways' generous accommodations for people with disabilities. These exclusions guarantee that the railway system can manage operational efficiency and strike a balance between the needs of all passengers. These are a few significant exclusions and restrictions from the concession policy:
Peak Travel Times Limited Availability: There may be restrictions on the number of reserved berths available under the concession quota during popular travel times, such as major festivals, holiday seasons, and school breaks. This is to meet the increased demand that all passengers have at these times.
Premium Trains: Services such as Rajdhani Express, Shatabdi Express, Jan Shatabdi Express, and Duronto Express are examples of premium train services where concessions are typically not applicable. The policy is intended to preserve the premium character of these services, and these trains have fewer seats and more expensive fares.
When it comes to handicapped individuals travelling on handicapped concession, SLRD coaches are considered reserved for booking on Garib Rath Express trains, which are fully reserved. However, they must pay the full fare of 3 AC Class on a first-come, first-served basis.
Particular Paths: It's possible that the concession quota will run out quickly on some popular routes. This might make it harder for people with disabilities to get concession tickets, particularly during rush hour and on trains that are in high demand.
Limitations on Quota: In non-suburban sections, the quota for reservations made by individuals with disabilities is restricted to two sleeper class berths per train. No more concession berths will be allotted for that trip if these berths are already reserved.
Concessional tickets may occasionally still be available, but if certain berths—such as lower berths—have already been reserved by another passenger, there may be no guarantee.
Accessibility of Exclusive Coaches/ Unique Coaches: Certain premium services like Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Jan Shatabdi, and Duronto Express trains do not have specially designed SLRD coaches, although the majority of Mail/Express trains do. As such, it's possible that the upgraded amenities found in SLRD coaches won't be available on these trains.
Verification and Documentation: Travelers must present a current disability certification from a recognised medical organisation. The concession may be denied and the passenger may be required to pay the full fare if this certification is not presented during ticket verification.
Seasonal Tickets: Specific terms and variable percentages of concessions apply to Monthly Season Tickets (MST) and Quarterly Season Tickets (QST). The purpose of these exclusions and restrictions is to guarantee the sustainability of the concession policy and the ability of Indian Railways to maintain fair and impartial services for all travellers, including those with disabilities. To take full advantage of the concessions offered, passengers are urged to arrange their travels ahead of time and to be aware of these restrictions.
Obtaining a train ticket concession for disabled persons on Indian Railways involves a few straightforward steps. Here is a detailed guide on how to apply for and avail these concessions:
While the primary application process for concessional tickets is handled offline at railway stations, some steps can be facilitated online through the IRCTC website. Here are the relevant links and resources:
IRCTC Website for Online Booking:
Indian Railways Portal for General Information:
Government of India Disability Certificate Application:
IRCTC Customer Care:
By following these steps and utilizing the available resources, persons with disabilities can easily avail of the concessions provided by Indian Railways, making their travel more affordable and accessible.
Highlight how the Indian Railway Concession for Differently Abled Persons helps improve accessibility and inclusivity in railway transportation. Emphasize the significance of providing equitable opportunities for differently abled individuals to travel comfortably and independently.
The Indian Railway Concession for Differently Abled Persons is an essential component of the country's rail transportation network that improves accessibility and inclusivity. Differently abled people can travel with dignity, comfort, and independence thanks to Indian Railways' generous fare concessions, reserved quotas, and specially designed coaches. In addition to providing financial relief, these initiatives aim to promote a more diverse society in which all people have equal access to everyday activities, including travel.
By making these accommodations, Indian Railways is demonstrating its dedication to upholding the ideals of equal opportunity and full participation for all citizens. It improves the general well-being and social integration of people with disabilities by allowing them to travel freely and confidently across the nation for leisure, work, education, or healthcare needs.
Indian Railways has demonstrated its proactive approach towards catering to the specific needs of passengers with disabilities through the ongoing enhancement and expansion of its facilities, as well as the implementation of specialised support systems. The Indian Railway Concession for Differently Abled Persons establishes a benchmark for inclusive and accessible public transport by dismantling barriers and fostering a respectful and supportive environment.
Essentially, these actions taken by Indian Railways open the door for a more inclusive and equitable society in addition to making travel for people with disabilities easier and more comfortable.
Question: How can I avail concessions for differently abled persons when booking train tickets online?
Answer: To avail concessions for differently abled persons online, follow these steps:
Question: Are there any limitations to the concession policy for differently abled individuals?
Answer: Yes, there are certain limitations to the concession policy, including:
Question 3: How can I apply for a disability certificate to avail concessions?
Answer: To apply for a disability certificate, follow these steps:
Atypical Advantage is India’s largest livelihood platform for Persons with Disabilities(PWD). Whether it is a singer looking for a show, a visual artist looking to sell their paintings, or job seekers with disabilities looking for career opportunities, it bridges the supply & demand side inefficiencies so that Persons with Disabilities can earn a dignified income. We have a large pool of 15,000+ talents with disabilities and have worked with 250+ corporates within a short span of 3 years. We were also featured on Shark Tank Season 2 and were declared the winner of the prestigious National Startup Award under the social impact category by the Union Government. For more information, visit our website here.
