Train benefit meant to ease travel for pregnant women — but in practice demands more from them

The Delhi High Court has demanded that the Indian government and railway authorities explain why pregnant women are required to physically come to the station to book a lower berth, while senior citizens can do so online. The petition seeks to add a digital option for booking the benefit.

The Delhi High Court has ordered the Indian government, the Railway Board, and the government ticketing company to submit an official response by September 30 to a petition seeking to allow pregnant women to book a lower berth on trains via the website and app. The petition was filed due to a policy gap: while senior citizens can request a lower berth during online booking, pregnant women must go to the station counter and present medical certificates. According to the petition, this requirement to go to the station makes things harder for those the benefit is meant to help. A lower berth allows pregnant women to avoid climbing to upper berths and eases mobility on long journeys. The bench noted that the IRCTC booking platform operates on behalf of the railways, so ways to implement the policy through digital channels should be examined. The petition requests adding a dedicated option for pregnant women in the online booking system, along with a digital verification mechanism such as a self-declaration or uploading a medical certificate.