While the general senior citizen fare concession remains suspended, Indian Railways continues to offer meaningful travel benefits specifically for persons with disabilities (Divyangjan) â including fare concessions of up to 75%, dedicated berth quotas, and a free berth for an accompanying escort.
Who Is Eligible
Concession is admissible to 4 defined categories of Persons with Disabilities under railway tariff rules, broadly covering:
- Orthopaedically handicapped/paraplegic persons
- Persons who are blind or have low vision
- Persons with hearing impairment
- Persons with cerebral palsy and certain other conditions covered under the detailed tariff categories
Separate concession provisions also exist for certain categories of patients and students under the same tariff framework, but this guide focuses specifically on the disability (Divyangjan) concession.
Fare Concession Rates
| Category | Concession | Classes Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Orthopaedically handicapped / paraplegic (+ escort) | 75% concession | 2nd, Sleeper, First, AC Chair Car, AC 3-tier |
| Blind persons (+ escort) | 50% concession | 2nd, Sleeper, First Class |
Concession percentages and covered classes vary by specific disability category â the table above covers two of the more common categories; the full detailed schedule covers additional categories and class combinations under the IRCA Coaching Tariff rules. Confirm the exact concession applicable to your specific category when applying.
Reserved Berth Quota
Indian Railways reserves dedicated berths for persons with disabilities on non-suburban trains â commonly cited as 4 Sleeper-class and 2 AC 3-tier berths reserved per relevant coach configuration, with a separate berth also allotted for the accompanying escort under the same quota. Separately, a broader 3% reservation quota is set aside for persons with disabilities across categories including low vision/blindness, hearing impairment, cerebral palsy, and locomotor disability.
How to Get a Divyangjan ID for Concessional Booking
To book concessional tickets under this scheme, eligible passengers need a Divyangjan ID (or equivalent disability certification recognized by Indian Railways) linked to their booking profile. As of recent figures, roughly 6.8 lakh Divyangjan IDs are active for IRCTC concessional booking â a relatively small fraction of India's total estimated persons-with-disabilities population, suggesting many eligible travelers may not yet have registered. If you're eligible and haven't set this up, it's worth doing before you need to book, since concessional fares and quota access depend on having valid, recognized disability documentation on file.
How to Book
- Ensure your disability certification/ID is valid and, where required, linked to your IRCTC profile.
- During booking on IRCTC's website or app, select the disability concession/quota option where available.
- Enter escort details if travelling with an accompanying escort eligible for the same concession.
- Carry your original disability certification during travel, as this can be checked onboard.
Why Registration Numbers Are Low
The gap between roughly 6.8 lakh active Divyangjan IDs and India's much larger estimated population of persons with disabilities likely reflects a combination of awareness gaps and the friction of the registration/certification process itself, rather than the benefit being narrowly targeted. If you or a family member are eligible but haven't registered, the process is a one-time setup that then applies to every future concessional booking â worth doing well before you actually need to travel, rather than discovering the requirement while trying to book urgently.
Where to Verify Current Details
Given the number of specific categories, concession percentages, and class combinations involved, and that these details can be revised, the authoritative source is the Ministry of Railways' concession rules documentation and IRCTC's own booking flow â treat this guide as a starting orientation, and confirm your specific category's exact concession and quota entitlement directly before booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What disability concession is available on Indian Railways?
Concessions vary by category â commonly cited examples include 75% for orthopaedically handicapped/paraplegic passengers and 50% for blind passengers, each covering specific travel classes, with the same concession also extended to an accompanying escort.
Do I need special documentation to get the disability concession?
Yes â a valid Divyangjan ID or recognized disability certification is generally required, and should be carried during travel for verification.
Is a berth reserved for my escort too?
Yes â the disability quota typically includes a berth allocation for an accompanying escort alongside the eligible passenger.
Is this the same as the senior citizen concession?
No â they're separate schemes. The general senior citizen fare concession remains suspended, while disability (Divyangjan) concessions continue to operate under their own rules. See our senior citizen concession guide for that separate topic.