August 03, 2001

   The senior citizens concession available on the Indian Railways, to male passengers of 65 years and above and female passengers of 60 years and above, is now being made optional with effect from 1^st September, 2001. According to the amended guidelines issued by the Ministry of Railways recently a passenger will have to make a choice at the time of purchasing the ticket. In case a senior citizen avails this facility, he/she will be required to carry a documentary proof of age during the journey to avoid inconvenience of penal charges under extant Railway Rules. The reservation requisition forms are being suitably modified accordingly.

    The Senior Citizens wishing to avail of concession should give it in writing on the Reservation requisition form. No proof of age is required at the time of purchasing ticket. However during journey, they should carry some document showing proof of their age or date of birth, issued by any Government institution/Agency/Local Body. This may be in the form of an Identity Card, Ration Card, Driving License, Passport, Educational certificate, certificate from Local Bodies like Panchayat/Corporation/Municipality, or any other authentic and recognised document to be produced, if demanded by authorised Railway Official during the journey.

    The Ministry of Railways have taken this step in view of a number of complaints relating to the inconvenience/harassment caused to the Senior Citizens for not being able to produce the proof of age during the journey.

    As per the existing instructions, Senior Citizens are granted 30 per cent concession in Mail/Express fares of all classes including fares of Rajdhani/Shatabdi group of trains. This concession is granted at the time of purchasing of tickets at the stations and not in the train. The concession is also not valid in Ordinary passenger trains.