Senior citizens in India travel frequently by train for personal, family, and medical reasons. To support their mobility and make rail travel more affordable, Indian Railways offers a special Senior Citizen Concession. This concession has been updated over the years, and the latest rules (as of 2026) provide meaningful savings and flexibility.
This detailed blog covers who is eligible, how much discount you get, how to claim it, conditions, important tips, and recent updates — explained step-by-step in simple English.
⭐ What Is Senior Citizen Concession in Indian Railways?
Senior Citizen Concession is a fare discount offered by Indian Railways to help elderly passengers travel at reduced ticket prices. It is available on regular train tickets across most classes, making long-distance and short-distance travel more affordable for seniors.
Unlike special quotas (like Tatkal or Ladies quota), the senior citizen fare concession directly reduces your ticket fare at the time of booking.
⭐ Who Is Eligible for Senior Citizen Concession?
🧓 Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the concession:
✔ The passenger must be an Indian citizen
✔ Age requirement depends on gender:
- Men: 60 years or above
- Women: 58 years or above
✔ Valid age proof must be presented (Aadhaar card, PAN, Voter ID, passport, Senior Citizen card)
Important: The passenger’s age is determined as of the date of journey.
⭐ How Much Concession Do Senior Citizens Get?
The concession is calculated on the basic fare (not including reservation charges, GST, or other fees).
🧑🦳 Latest Concession Rates (2026)
| Class of Travel | Concession Percentage |
|---|---|
| First Class (FC) | 40% |
| Second Sitting (2S) | 30% |
| Sleeper Class (SL) | 30% |
| AC 3 Tier (3A) | 30% |
| AC 2 Tier (2A) | 30% |
| AC Chair Car (CC) | 30% |
| Executive Class / AC First (1A) | No concession |
⚠️ Premium Tatkal / Tatkal / Superfast surcharge / reservation fee / GST are not discounted.
⭐ How to Claim Senior Citizen Concession
🖥️ Online Booking (IRCTC)
- Log in to IRCTC website or mobile app
- Enter journey details
- Choose passenger as “Senior Citizen”
- Enter age and gender correctly
- Upload age proof if asked
- Check fare — discounted fare will be shown
- Make payment and complete booking
- Download e-ticket
🏦 Offline Booking (PRSR Counters)
- Visit the nearest railway reservation counter
- Provide journey details
- Tell the agent you want a Senior Citizen Concession
- Show age proof
- Counter will apply concession
- Pay the reduced fare and collect ticket
⭐ Important Rules and Conditions
📌 1. Concession Valid Only on Regular Tickets
Concession does not apply to Tatkal or Premium Tatkal tickets.
📌 2. Must Carry Valid ID
The discount is valid only if you carry an age proof linked with your name. On inspection, if age proof is missing or incorrect:
- You may be charged full fare
- A fine may be imposed
📌 3. Gender-based Age Rule
Women get concession 2 years earlier than men (58 vs 60 years).
📌 4. Only One Concession Per Passenger
You cannot combine this discount with other special concessions.
⭐ Recent / Latest Updates (2025–26)
✔ No change in age eligibility — remains 60 years for men, 58 years for women.
✔ Concession continues to apply on all regular ticket bookings except Tatkal.
✔ IRCTC and counter ticketing now automatically apply the discount when you choose senior citizen status.
✔ If age proof mismatch, concession may be withdrawn during travel.
✔ E-tickets clearly show discount notified in fare breakdown.
Note: If future notifications change this rule (e.g., age, extra classes), Indian Railways will publish updated concessions on official announcements and IRCTC portals.
⭐ Can Senior Citizens Use Concession With RAC or WL?
Yes — as long as the ticket is eventually confirmed:
✔ On Confirmed tickets — concession applies
✔ On RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) — concession applies once it becomes confirmed
✔ On Wait-listed (WL) — if WL turns into confirmed ticket before chart preparation, concession applies
❌ If ticket remains unconfirmed (automatically cancelled), no fare is charged and refund rules apply
⭐ Senior Citizen Concession Tips
📌 Always carry original age proof during travel (Aadhaar or passport recommended)
📌 Enter age and gender accurately during booking
📌 Don’t book under Tatkal — no concession for urgent quotas
📌 Check detailed fare before payment — the discounted amount is shown clearly
📌 If age proof mismatch error appears online, update your profile / KYC before booking
⭐ Common Misconceptions
❌ “Concession applies on reservation charges.”
➡️ False. Discount only applies to basic fare, not reservation fee or GST.
❌ “Senior concession means free travel.”
➡️ No. It is a discount, not free travel.
❌ “Son/daughter of senior gets concession.”
➡️ No. Only the eligible senior’s own ticket gets discount.
🔚 Conclusion
Senior Citizen Concession remains one of the most passenger-friendly schemes offered by Indian Railways. With up to 40% discount on train fares and automatic application during ticketing, it helps senior travellers save significantly on travel costs.
As of 2026, the rules are stable — age eligibility remains unchanged and the concession continues for most travel classes except Tatkal and Premium Tatkal. Always ensure you carry valid age proof during the journey.
For more easy-to-understand, updated railway guides and travel tips, visit 👉 Sarkari Bakery.