Can students avail of railway concessions for competitive exams?

Yes, students traveling for government-recognised competitive exams can often get discounted tickets. A valid admit card and a letter from the institution may be required.

Are there any special discounts for research scholars traveling for academic work?

Yes, PhD scholars and research students can often avail of railway concessions for attending conferences or conducting research, provided they have valid documents from their institution.

Do foreign students studying in India get railway concessions?

Generally, railway concessions are meant for Indian students. However, foreign students enrolled in government-recognised institutions can check with railway authorities for any applicable benefits.

Is there a way to apply for railway concessions online?

Many educational institutions provide a digital verification system for concession requests. However, students still need to get tickets issued physically in most cases.

Can senior citizens avail of railway concessions along with student discounts?

If a student is also a senior citizen (rare but possible in some cases like research scholars), they can opt for the concession that offers the highest discount.

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A Guide To Availing Student & Other Concessions In Indian Railways

Pragya Pathak

Author

Updated: 29-03-2025 at 3:30 PM

Indian railways are one of the biggest modes of transportation in India and are chosen by billions of people every year. According to the report for 2023-24, around 673 crore people travelled by railways. The highest record set in a day was around 3 crore passengers on 4th November 2024. The numbers represent how significant the railways are when it comes to travelling to faraway places and the sector’s contribution to the nation’s economy.

One of the facilities provided by the Indian railways is the concessions provided on travel tickets based on various criteria, like the IRCTC student concession. Concessions help people purchase tickets at affordable prices and avail of the services of smooth and secure travel.

Also Read: Making India's Infrastructure Better: The New Railway Land Leasing Rules

Overview

Aspect	Details
Scheme Name	Senior Citizen Concession in Indian Railways
Beneficiaries	Indian citizens aged 60+ (men) and 58+ (women)
Discount Offered	40% for men, 50% for women (previously available before suspension)
Applicable Classes	All classes in Mail, Express, and Superfast trains (except specific premium categories)
Current Status	Suspended since March 2020
Reason for Suspension	Financial burden on Indian Railways & post-pandemic recovery
Alternative Schemes	Senior Citizen Quota for seat reservations
Online/Offline Booking	Available through IRCTC and railway ticket counters
Reintroduction Possibility	Under review by authorities, with no confirmed reinstatement

What Is A Concession In Indian Railways?

As per railway regulations in India, a concession stands for discounted ticket prices, which specifically benefit elderly passengers and disabled people and students, along with freedom fighter groups. Travel expenses become more affordable because these concessions are meant for these eligible groups. Train fares undergo a different level of discount depending on classification and rail section.

Rules For Concession In Indian Railways

There are some general rules laid out by the Indian Railways regarding concessions that one should be aware of. All the major rules are mentioned below:

The rates of concession are decided based on the set fares for the general mail/express trains.
Any type of concession provided should not be borne by the central or state government or local government bodies or universities. However, if students are travelling to participate in a tournament on behalf of the university, the university can bear the concession charge.
Concessions aren’t given on some trains like Rajdhani Express, Shatabdi Express, etc., as they have their structure of fares. A concession can be given on any Garib Rath express train.
Concessions are only given on basic fares. If the concession is given for trains like Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Jan Shatabdi, the rate of concession would be given on the total charges (including the rate of catering).
Concessions are given on a journey covering a minimum distance of 300 km, except for some categories (categories are mentioned further in the article in detail).
Only one concession is given at a time to a passenger.
Concessions aren’t given on ‘break-of-journey’. However, it is allowed for IRCTC student concession travelling for some examinations, cancer patients, etc.
If some passengers don’t cover their whole journey and get off the train before reaching their destination, no refund will be generated for them.
To avail of concessions, one needs to carry a valid ID card such as an Aadhar card, Driving license, Ration card, etc.
The ticketholder who has availed of concessions cannot request an upgrade.

Types Of Concessions

Concessions are given to people who fit into some category. The major categories are mentioned below:

Free train pass for students
Youth
Patients
Senior citizens
Disabled passengers
Awardees
War widows
Farmers
Artists & sportsmen
Medical professionals
People travelling for tournaments/camps/conferences, etc.

Breakdown Of Railway Concession

Railway concessions are given to people based on different categories. All the categories with the breakdown of concessions are mentioned below.

Category	Eligible Persons	Concession Details
Passengers with Disability	Orthopedically Handicapped/Paraplegic (with escort)	75% in 2nd, SL, 1st Class, 3AC, AC Chair Car50% in 1AC, 2AC25% in 3AC & AC Chair Car of Rajdhani/Shatabdi50% in MST & QSTEscort gets the same concession
	Mentally Retarded (with escort)	50% in 2nd, SL, 1st Class, MST & QSTEscort gets the same concession
	Blind (alone or with escort)	50% in 2nd, SL, 1st Class, MST & QSTEscort gets the same concession
	Deaf & Dumb (both afflictions, alone or with escort)	50% in 2nd, SL, 1st Class, MST & QSTEscort gets the same concession
Patients	Cancer Patients (with escort)	75% in 2nd, 1st Class, AC Chair Car100% in SL & 3AC50% in 1AC, 2ACEscort gets same concession (except SL & 3AC where they get 75%)
	Thalassemia (with escort)	75% in 2nd, SL, 1st Class, 3AC, AC Chair Car50% in 1AC, 2ACEscort gets the same concession
	Heart/Kidney/Haemophilia Patients (with escort)	75% in 2nd, 3AC, SL, AC Chair Car, 1st ClassEscort gets the same concession
	TB/Lupas Vulgaris Patients (with escort)	75% in 2nd, SL, 1st ClassEscort gets the same concession
	Leprosy (Non-infectious, with escort)	75% in 2nd, SL, 1st ClassEscort gets the same concession
	AIDS Patients	50% in 2nd Class
	Ostomy Patients (for any purpose)	50% in MST & QSTEscort gets the same concession
	Sickle Cell/Aplastic Anaemia (for treatment)	50% in Sleeper, AC Chair Car, AC 3-tier, AC 2-tier
Senior Citizens	Men (60+ years), Women (58+ years)	40% (Men), 50% (Women) in all classes, including Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Duronto
Awardees	Police Medal/Indian Police Award (60+ years)	50% for men, 60% for women in all classes and Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Jan Shatabdi
	Shram Awardees	75% in 2nd, SL class
	National Awardee Teachers	50% in 2nd, SL class
	Parents of the National Bravery Award Child	50% in 2nd, SL class
War Widows	Widows of War/IPKF/Security Martyrs	75% in 2nd, SL class
Students	General Category (to hometown/tours)	50% in 2nd, SL class, MST/QST
	SC/ST Category	75% in 2nd, SL class, MST/QST
	Girls (up to Graduation), Boys (up to 12th)	Free 2nd-class MST
	Govt. School Rural Students (study tours)	75% in 2nd class
	Govt. School Rural Girls (entrance exams)	75% in 2nd class
	UPSC/Central SSC Candidates	50% in 2nd class
	Foreign Students (for camps/seminars)	50% in 2nd, SL class
	Research Scholars (up to 35 years)	50% in 2nd, SL class
	Work Camps (Students/Non-students)	25% in 2nd, SL class
	Cadets/Marine Engineer Apprentices	50% in 2nd, SL class
Youth	National Integration Camps	50% in 2nd, SL class (National Youth Project), 40% (Manav Uththan Sewa Samiti)
	Unemployed Youth (Govt job interviews)	50% in 2nd, SL class100% in 2nd class (State/Central Govt jobs)
	Bharat Scouts & Guides (Scouting Duty)	50% in 2nd, SL class
Farmers	Agricultural/Industrial Exhibitions	25% in 2nd, SL class
	Govt-Sponsored Special Trains	33% in 2nd, SL class
	Kisans/Milk Producers (Training)	50% in 2nd, SL class
	Bharat Krishak/Sarvodaya Conferences	50% in 2nd, SL class
Artists & Sportsmen	Artistes (Performance)	75% in 2nd, SL Class50% in 1st, AC Chair Car, 3AC, 2AC, Rajdhani/Shatabdi
	Film Technicians	75% in SL50% in 1st, AC Chair Car, 3AC, 2AC (incl. Rajdhani/Shatabdi)
	Sportsmen (Tournaments)	75% in 2nd, SL, 1st class50% in 1st class
	Mountaineers (IMF Expeditions)	75% in 2nd, SL class50% in 1st class
	Accredited Press Correspondents	50% in all classes and Rajdhani/Shatabdi (twice a year)
Medical Professionals	Doctors (Allopathic)	10% in all classes and Rajdhani/Shatabdi
	Nurses/Midwives (Leave/Duty)	25% in 2nd, SL class
Others	Delegates to Social/Educational Conferences	25% in 2nd, SL class
	Bharat Sewa Dal Volunteers	25% in 2nd, SL class
	Service Civil International (Social Service)	25% in 2nd, SL class
	Primary/Higher Secondary Teachers (Educational Tours)	25% in 2nd, SL class
	St. John Ambulance Brigade (Ambulance Camps)	25% in 2nd, SL class

Note: SL = Sleeper Class, MST = Monthly Season Ticket, QST = Quarterly Season Ticket, 3AC = AC 3-Tier, 2AC = AC 2-Tier

How Can One Apply For Concessions In Indian Railways?

Interested and eligible individuals (who fit into any of the above-mentioned categories) can apply for concessions by following some simple steps:

Step 1: Please visit the railway station.

Step 2: Carry any valid government-issued ID cards like Aadhaar cards, Student ID cards, Ration cards, etc.

Step 3: While filling out the form for tickets, choose the option of ‘type of concession. ’

How To Check the Status Of Canceled Railway Concession?

In case of a canceled railway concession, one will receive an SMS, and a refund will be issued, or else one can track the status of their tickets using the IRCTC application or website using their PNR number.

What Is A Railway Concession Pass?

A Railway Concession Pass is issued to eligible individuals (who fit into any of the above-mentioned categories) to avail of concessions while travelling by train.

How To Apply For A Railway Concession Pass?

Eligible individuals can apply for a Railway Concession Pass by following some simple steps:

Step 1: Please visit the railway station.

Step 2: Request an application form for the Railway Concession Pass and fill in your details.

Step 3: Carry any valid government-issued ID cards like Aadhar cards, Student ID cards, Ration cards, etc.

Step 4: Submit the form to the railway authorities and wait for approval.

Note

Since 2020, the Senior Citizen Concession in Indian Railways has stopped providing benefits to elderly rail passengers. No official announcement regarding the return of the Indian Railway Senior Citizen Concession appears to be available despite alternative Senior Citizen Quota policies offering partial benefits. Travellers need to check official railway broadcast information regarding policy adjustments.

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