A passenger recently took to X to voice his concern over the Railways allotting upper berths to senior citizens, sharing that his own father had been assigned a side upper seat. He questioned why elderly passengers weren’t being prioritised for lower berths despite age-related needs. The complaint gained enough traction for RailwaySeva to step in and respond to his concern. Their reply aimed to clarify the berth allocation process and address the rising queries.
Railways questioned after X user highlights how his 65-year-old father was given a side upper berth while younger passengers got lower seats
A railway passenger, who goes by the username @CatchMeAbhiOrb on social media platform X, recently took to the platform to raise a concern many travellers have noticed but rarely speak up about. Sharing his father’s travel experience, he highlighted what he called a “very obvious” loophole in the berth allocation system. In his post, he wrote,
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“My 65-year-old father (senior citizen) was allotted a Side Upper berth on Train 12617, while in the same cabin, a young woman (early 20s) and a mid-40s male got the lower berths.”
His words instantly set the context for a problem that affects countless senior citizens on long journeys.
He questioned how IRCTC’s algorithm arrives at such decisions, especially when the needs of older passengers are clearly different. He asked bluntly,
“How does IRCTC’s seat-allocation algorithm decide this?”
While sharing his frustration, he also pointed out the practical challenge involved, saying,
“Do we really expect senior citizens to climb up and do the hard work?”
His post struck a chord because it echoed the same inconvenience many elders quietly endure while travelling.
The user further expressed his disappointment with the system, stressing that something as basic as prioritising lower berths for elderly passengers should not be difficult for a platform that manages crores of bookings daily. In his words,
“For a system that handles crores of bookings, basic prioritisation for elderly passengers shouldn’t be too much to ask.”
By putting forth this point, he urged authorities to rethink how berths are assigned, especially when it comes to vulnerable age groups. To corroborate his claim he even attached the screenshot of seat details,
His post gained significant attention on X, prompting RailwaySeva to respond.
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Have a look at the whole tweet
Hello @RailMinIndia @AshwiniVaishnaw
This is honestly SHOCKINGMy 65-year-old father (senior citizen) was allotted a Side Upper berth on Train 12617, while in the same cabin, a young woman (early 20s) and a mid-40s male got the lower berths.
How does IRCTC’s seat-allocation… pic.twitter.com/M1fbBJaZyV
— A 🇮🇳 (@CatchMeAbhiOrb) November 25, 2025
RailwaySeva’s reply sparks further frustration from passenger
When RailwaySeva finally responded to the viral complaint, their explanation didn’t go down well with the user. The official handle wrote,
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“The allocation of berths is a fully automated process and takes place without any manual intervention. However, you may kindly contact the on board TTE for necessary assistance in this matter.”
Dear sir, The allocation of berths is a fully automated process and takes place without any mannual intervention. However, you may kindly contact the on board TTE for necessary assistance in this matter
— RailwaySeva (@RailwaySeva) November 25, 2025
Instead of offering clarity on why a senior citizen was allotted a side upper berth, the reply shifted the responsibility to the travelling TTE – something the passenger felt completely missed the point.
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Unhappy with the response, the passenger immediately hit back. He wrote,
“Lol. Did you read my tweet. I’m talking about the automated process.”
His frustration was evident as he questioned how the system could justify assigning an upper berth to someone aged 65 when younger travellers in the same cabin received lower ones. He added,
“How on earth in your automated process you’re pushing senior citizens to top berth.”
Lol. Did you read my tweet. I’m talking about the automated process.
How on earth in your automated process you’re pushing senior citizens to top berth.@AshwiniVaishnaw @RailMinIndia
— A 🇮🇳 (@CatchMeAbhiOrb) November 25, 2025
By tagging @AshwiniVaishnaw and @RailMinIndia, the user made it clear that he wanted higher authorities to acknowledge the gap in the system rather than directing him to onboard staff.
Netizens join the discussion
Soon after the exchange, netizens began chiming in with their own thoughts, echoing similar frustration over berth allotment for senior citizens. Have a look at some worth-checking-out comments,
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Booked 4 train tickets for my family today including my parents and all of us were allotted upper berths. Had to rebook separate senior citizen tickets for my parents and cancel the earlier ones, losing ₹400 in cancellation fees. And this is on Day 1 of the 60-day booking window
— sumesh (@sumu_jk) November 25, 2025
It had happened to me as well. Both of my senior citizen parents were allotted Upper Berths and opposite to each other. https://t.co/52BZJClix7
— Krishna Kumar Dash (@KrishnaDash93) November 25, 2025
Problem is they give lower birth only with sr citizen quota which needs to be separately booked. During Mr. Suresh Prabhu time the system was allocating on time and automatically. This is why we need a better railway minister.
— Ashis kar (@ashiskar02) November 26, 2025
It’s probably because they might have booked earlier
— Sagar Paleja 🇮🇳 (@smartspendcode) November 25, 2025
It looks unfair prima facie but those young people might have booked tickets well in advance and the elderly might have booked later.
— Yain (@Yain1825) November 26, 2025
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Make 500rs extra for lower berth or window seats, automatically everything will be sorted
— deepa (@deepa897) November 25, 2025
I also have raised similar concern a year back, it is hard to convince authority. May be PM need to direct them to make it Mumkin. (It will be small but impact full algorithm change,If it’s done in reality)
— दिनेश (@ThDinesh10) November 27, 2025
In the end, the debate has sparked a much-needed conversation about senior-friendly travel. What are your thoughts on this issue? Do share them in the comments below.
