Railways has changed the rules for the disabled.Image Credit source: Google Gemini
Indian Railways has made a major change in the rules regarding disabled passengers. According to a Railways release dated April 20, 2026, a disabled person holding a valid UDID card can travel in reserved coaches of mail or express trains. Indian Railways has allowed persons with disabilities (PwDs) holding valid ‘Unique Disability ID’ (UDID) identity card to travel in specially reserved coaches in mail and express trains. Let us discuss about it in detail.
Persons with Disability having valid UDID card
Railways clarified that people holding valid UDID cards issued by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, will be considered as ‘bonafide’ passengers while traveling in coaches designated for physically handicapped passengers. This facility is also applicable to persons with disabilities who are entitled to concessional railway fare and who possess valid identity card issued under Railway Rules.
Strict action against unauthorized passengers
Indian Railways has stressed that strict action will be taken against unauthorized passengers found traveling in coaches reserved for disabled passengers. Such action will be taken under the provisions of ‘Railway Act, 1989’.
Facilities available through Divyangjan card
Railways has also underlined the importance of ‘Divyangjan Card’, also known as ‘e-Ticketing Photo Identity Card’ (EPICS). This identity card enables persons with disabilities to avail concessions on rail travel, provided they possess the necessary disability or concession certificate.
How to add a disabled passenger to the ‘Master List’ of passengers?
- Log in using your IRCTC username and password.
- Visit the ‘Add/Modify Master List’ link available in the ‘My Profile’ section under the ‘My Account’ menu.
- Select the ‘Person with Disability/Escort’ radio button from the ‘Passenger Type’ option.
- Select ‘Person with Disability’ radio button from ‘Travel Type’ and fill in the details of the passenger like their name, date of birth, concession card number, validity date of ID card etc.
- Click on ‘Submit’ button to save the information in ‘Master List’.
- All the passengers added in the ‘Master List’ module will be displayed under the ‘Passenger List’ option.
How can a person with disability avail concessions?
As per the rules of Indian Railways, fare concession is given to disabled passengers who book tickets on the e-ticketing website of IRCTC.
- Log in using IRCTC username and password.
- After logging in, provide journey details and select the ‘Person with Disability concession’ check box on the home page to proceed with the booking with Person with Disability concession. A pop-up message will appear for confirmation, click ‘Ok’ to continue booking.
- Click on the ‘Search’ button and select the train of your choice on the next page to proceed with the booking.
- Click on ‘Check Availability and Fare’ button for the selected train and then click on ‘Book Now’ button to continue booking.
- You will be redirected to the passenger information page, here you can enter the details of the disabled passenger yourself or can take the information from the ‘Saved Passenger List’ created in the ‘Add/Modify Master list’ section.
- After filling the information, the booking review page will appear. Here, check the information carefully and click on ‘Continue’ button to go to the payment page.
- On the payments page, select your preferred payment option. Payment options are available in the middle-left side of the page. Click on ‘Pay Now’ button of the selected payment option, you will be redirected to the bank’s page.
- Once the payment is successfully made on the bank’s page, the booking confirmation page will be displayed containing details of the passenger and journey.
