Deaf and Dumb Railway Concession | Railway Concession Rules for Deaf and Dumb
| Deaf & Dumb persons (both afflictions together in the same person) travelling alone or with an escort – for any purpose. |
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Click the Link: Concession Form |
Here’s the latest official guidance on Indian Railways concession rules for Persons with Hearing and Speech Impairment (formerly labeled “deaf and dumb”):
🧠 Official Concession Policy
- In January 2018, Indian Railways replaced the outdated term “deaf & dumb” with the more respectful designation:
“Person with hearing and speech impairment (both afflictions together in the same person)”.
Likewise, terms like “physically challenged” were updated to “Divyangjan (Persons with Disabilities)” - Railway concession certificates now reflect this updated terminology.
🎟 Concession Benefits for Hearing & Speech Impairment
Fare Discounts:
Eligible passengers receive a 50% concession on base fare for Mail/Express trains in:
- Second Class (2S)
- Sleeper Class (SL)
- First Class (FC)
Other perks include:
- 50% concession on monthly/quarterly season tickets (MST/QST) in applicable classes.
- One escort traveling with the eligible person is entitled to the same level of concession.
All additional charges—reservation fee, superfast or Tatkal surcharges, GST, etc.—must be paid in full.
📄 Procedure to Avail Concession
1. Get the Required Documents:
- A Disability Certificate issued by a government-approved medical authority or hospital, specifying hearing and speech impairment (Certificate form from PRS issuance).
- A Railway Concession Certificate (Divyangjan Certificate) issued and stamped by the DRM office after verification, or a Railway Divyangjan Photo Identity Card with an 11-digit ID referencing the concession.
2. Booking the Ticket:
- Offline: At reservation counters, submit the certificate and your ID. The clerk will apply concession and issue the ticket.
- Online (IRCTC): If you possess a valid Railway Divyangjan ID card, you can enter the ID number while booking on the IRCTC website—concession is applied automatically.
3. During Travel:
- Carry the original approved certificate or photo-ID card along with a valid ID proof (Aadhaar, passport, etc.). TTE may inspect it during the journey.
🧾 Summary Table
| Category | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Hearing & Speech Impairment (Divyangjan) | 50% concession in 2S, SL, and First Class |
| Escort (if needed) | Same concession as exempt person |
| Reservation & Tatkal fees | Not discounted—pay full |
| Season Tickets (MST/QST) | 50% concession applies |
🧩 What Changed Over the Years?
- Terms like “deaf & dumb” have been replaced with “person with hearing and speech impairment” to uphold dignity and modernization efforts.
⚠️ Tips & Caveats
- UDID (Unique Disability ID) alone is often not enough for railway concessions—you must also have the Railway concession certificate or photo-ID card. Some users report being told their UDID is not accepted for booking concessions
- If booking online with ID, ensure the concession ID has been properly updated in the IRCTC system.
- Booking must be done under the Divyangjan (Disability) quota; otherwise concession won’t apply. Use the correct option when selecting passenger quotas.
- At unstaffed counters or remote stations, delays or confusion may arise—carry multiple copies of documents and be persistent.
✅ Need More Help?
Would you like assistance with:
- Booking a concession ticket online using Divyangjan ID?
- Locating the Divisional Railway Manager office near you to apply for a Photo ID card?
- Understanding how escort booking works and how to include them?
Feel free to ask—I’d be glad to assist further!