Railway Concession for Physically Handicapped 2025 | Railway Rules for Handicapped
Concession to Railway Passengers in Various Categories
Indian Railways extend travel concessions in passenger fare to 53 categories of passengers and the element of concession ranges from 25% to 100%. The details are as under:-
| S. No |
CATEGORY OF PERSONS | PERCENTAGE OF CONCESSION* |
| I | Disabled Passengers | |
| 1 | Orthopaedically Handicapped / Paraplegic persons who cannot travel without escort – for any purpose |
|
| 2 | Mentally retarded persons who cannot travel without escort – for any purpose | |
| 3 | Blind persons travelling alone or with an escort – for any purpose | |
| 4 | Deaf & Dumb persons (both afflictions together in the same person) travelling alone or with an escort – for any purpose. |
|
Certainly! Here’s a comprehensive overview of the Indian Railways rules and facilities for persons with disabilities (Divyangjans), including concessions, quotas, infrastructure, and booking procedures:
Contents
1. Fare Concession Rules (Railway Board)
Railways grant concessions applicable only on the basic fare, not including reservation fees, GST, or surcharges. Concessions apply to four categories of disability:
| Disability Category | Concession Details (per rules) |
|---|---|
| Orthopaedically handicapped / Paraplegic | 75% in Second, Sleeper, First, AC Chair Car, 3AC; 50% in 2AC & 1A; 25% in Rajdhani/Shatabdi 3AC & Chair Car. Escort receives identical benefit. |
| Visual impairment (total blindness) | Same rates as above; escort benefits apply. |
| Hearing & Speech impaired (combined) | 50% in Second, Sleeper, First. Escort also eligible. |
| Intellectual Disability (effective June 1, 2025) | Inclusion under consistent concession framework. |
Important General Rules:
- Concessions apply only to individual categories—only one at a time is permitted.
- Eligible only on basic fares of Mail/Express trains. Not valid for premium or subsidized journeys.
- Certain distance restrictions (e.g., 300 km) are waived for categories like Divyangjans, cancer, TB, etc.
2. Reservation Quotas for Divyangjans
Railways reserves specific berths/seats across classes to ensure accessibility:
- Sleeper Class: Four berths (2 lower, 2 middle)
- 3AC / 3E: Two berths (1 lower, 1 middle each)
- SLRD Coaches (Garib Rath): Four berths (2 lower, 2 upper)
- 2S / AC Chair Car: Two reserved seats if train has more than 2 such coaches
- Vande Bharat: Reserved Seat No. 40 in specific coach; escort assigned adjacent seat
Bookings under this quota require a valid Divyangjan ID card or concession certificate; misuse is restricted and monitored.
3. Infrastructure & On-Board Facilities
Key amenities aimed at improving accessibility under the Accessible India Campaign include:
- SLRD coaches: Specially adapted coaches with wheelchair access, lower/upper berths, wider doors, modified toilets.
- Special PRS counters and lower berth allocation recommended at reservation time.
- Wheelchairs: Available free at 5400+ stations via Sahayak services; assistive staff (Yatri Mitras), battery-operated vehicles, ramps, tactile guidance, accessible restrooms and counters provided.
- Major station retrofits: Under Universal Accessibility Standards, including lifts, braille/tactile signage, accessible PA systems, and staff trained in sign language are being implemented.
4. Booking Concessions & Cards
Divyangjan ID Card process:
- Obtain certificate from a government hospital.
- Apply at DRM office with proofs (identity, address, photos, disability certificate).
- After verification, a photo-ID card is issued with lifetime or 5-year validity depending on disability.
Ticket Booking Options:
- Online: Use the Divyangjan ID to apply concessions on IRCTC.
- Offline: Present the ID or certificate at PRS to book concession tickets for self and escort.
5. Real Passenger Insights (Reddit Highlights)
“Divyangjan concessions are available both online and offline… 75% for AC Chair, 2S, Sleeper; 50% for 2AC; same discount for escort.”
“UDID not accepted for railway concessions in thalassemia cases; use concession forms directly from hospital.”
At busy stations like Hazrat Nizamuddin, disabled travel can still be tough; wheelchair services are unreliable.
Summary Table
| Category | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Concession Eligibility | Applies to PwDs; varies by coach class, includes escorts |
| Reservation Quota | Berths reserved across multiple coach categories |
| Accessible Facilities | SLRD coaches, wheelchairs, ramps, dedicated Sahayaks |
| Divyangjan ID Card | Required for booking; valid 5 years or more |
| Booking Process | Both online (IRCTC) and offline (PRS counter) supported |
| User Realities | Infrastructure still variable across stations |
Let me know if you’d like help obtaining a Divyangjan card, navigating concessions online, or finding accessible facilities at your nearest station.