Railway Concession for Students | Railway Concession for College Students
Local Railway Concession For College Students
Railway Concession for College Students
Student Concession Form for Railway Ticket | Railway Concession Form for Students Educational Tour – Click Here
Students going to hometown & educational tours
- 50% in 2nd and SL class
- General Category – 50% in MST/QST
- SC/ST Category- 75% in 2nd and SL class
– 75% in MST/QST
Girls upto Graduation, Boys upto 12th standard (including students of Madrasa) between home & school)
- Free second class MST
Students of Govt. schools in rural areas – for study tour – once a year.
- 75% in 2nd class
Entrance exam – Girls of Govt. schools in rural areas – for national level for medical, engineering, etc. entrance exam.
- 75% in 2nd class
Concession to students appearing in main written examination conducted by UPSC & Central Staff Selection Commissions.
- 50% in 2nd class
Foreign students studying in India – travelling to attend camps/ seminars organised by Govt. of India and also visit to places of historical & other importance during vacations.
- 50% in 2nd and SL class
Research scholars upto the age of 35 years – for journeys in connection with research work.
- 50% in 2nd and SL class
Students and non-students participating in Work Camps
- 25% in 2nd and SL class
Cadets and Marine Engineers apprentices undergoing Navigational / Engineering training for Mercantile Marine – for travel between home and training ship.
- 50% in 2nd and SL class
Here’s a detailed and up-to-date guide to Indian Railways concessions for students, covering eligibility, passenger categories, concession rates, booking guidelines, and real-world insights:
Contents
1. Who Qualifies for Student Concessions?
Indian Railways offers fare discounts to students based on specific purposes and categories. Here’s how different groups qualify:
- Hometown Visits & Educational Tours
- General students: 50% off on 2nd class and Sleeper (SL) fares; plus 50% off Monthly (MST) and Quarterly Season Tickets (QST)
- SC/ST students: 75% discount under the same conditions
- Girls up to graduation and boys up to class 12 (including Madrasa students): Free second-class MSTs between home and school
- Rural Government Students (Study Tour): 75% off on second-class fares, once a year
- Rural Girls (Entrance Exams): 75% concession in second class for national-level entrance exam travel
- Exam Candidates (UPSC/SSC): 50% off in second class for main written exam travel
- Research Scholars (≤ 35 years): 50% concession in 2nd and SL class for research-related travel
- Foreign Students in India: 50% discount on 2nd and SL class for Government-organized camps, seminars, or cultural tours
- Work Camp Participants: 25% concession in 2nd and SL class
- Cadets / Marine Apprentice Trainees: 50% off in 2nd and SL class for travel between home and training ship
2. Key Rules You Should Know
- Concessions apply only to basic fares—other charges (reservation, superfast, GST) are extra; exceptions include Rajdhani/Shatabdi where catering is also concessional
- Minimum travel distance (300 km) is generally required, but students are exempted
- Only one concession per journey is permitted
- No midpoint breaks allowed unless endorsed by a Station Master; otherwise, no refund
3. How to Avail the Concession
A. Over-the-Counter (Preferred Method)
- Obtain the student concession form from your school or college; if unavailable, railway stations usually provide one
- Get it attested/stamped by an institutional authority (e.g., principal)
- Submit the form at the nearest PRS ticket counter—ideally after 11 AM—and book your concession tickets. Allow time for processing (could be same day to several days)
B. Via I-Ticket Refund (for Educational Tours)
- Book a regular I-Ticket online, then present it along with your concession form at a reservation office.
- The difference (minus ₹20 clerical charge) is refunded electronically, and you’ll get a new concessional ticket
C. MST / QST (Seasonal Passes)
- MST (Monthly Season Tickets) are available at half fare for students up to age 25. SC/ST students get additional discounts (50% off MST, 2.7× concessional QST)
- Free second-class MST is available for girls (till graduation) and boys (till Class 12)
4. Real-World Student Experiences
“Discount is 50% only for sleeper… you have to make offline counter/window ticket for availing concession.”
— Explains how offline booking and form submission work in universities
“School Students: Up to 75% concession on the MST. Junior College & Degree Students: Up to 50% concession on the MST.”
— A user clarifies MST discounts for different student levels
“Student Concession Available Only In SL Class… submit concession form provided by college/school while booking ticket.”
— Highlights that concession is only for SL/2nd class and must be applied with a valid form
Summary Table
| Student Category / Purpose | Valid Classes | Concession Rate |
|---|---|---|
| General students (home/edu tours) | 2nd / SL | 50% + MST/QST 50% |
| SC/ST students | 2nd / SL | 75% + MST/QST 75% |
| Girls ≤ Graduation / Boys ≤ Class XII (home-school) | MST (2nd class) | Free MST |
| Rural Gov. school students (study tour, once/year) | 2nd class | 75% |
| Rural girls (entrance exams) | 2nd class | 75% |
| UPSC / SSC exam candidates | 2nd class | 50% |
| Research scholars (≤ 35 yrs, research travel) | 2nd / SL | 50% |
| Foreign students (Govt camps/seminars) | 2nd / SL | 50% |
| Work camp participants; Cadets / Marine apprentices | 2nd / SL | 25% / 50% respectively |
| MST / QST (age-based concessions) | 1st / 2nd class | ~50% or Free depending on criteria |
Final Thoughts
Indian Railways’ student concessions range from free travel to 75% discounts, designed to support educational access, rural outreach, and research efforts. Most of these concessions are offered over-the-counter, and online booking may not apply (e.g., not available on e-tickets for group tours). Always ensure you have the correct concession form, institutional attestation, and book through the reservation counter.
Want help getting the right form, knowing where to submit it, or navigating college passes for your local region? I’m here to assist!