Operations Train Booking Classes Explained
Train Booking Classes Explained – Indian Railways
Category: Operations | Target: All RRB NTPC, Group-D, ALP, JE & Paramedical exams
1. Reservation Classes at a Glance
| Class Code | Full Name | Berth Type | Air-Conditioned | Fare Level* | Max. Berths/Coach | Coach Designation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1A | First AC | Cabin & Coupe | YES | 4.5×SL | 18–24 | H |
| 2A | Second AC | Open Berth | YES | 2.5×SL | 46–54 | A |
| 3A | Third AC | 6-berth bay | YES | 1.8×SL | 64–72 | B |
| 3E | AC 3-Tier Economy | 6-berth bay | YES | 1.5×SL | 72–80 | M |
| CC | Chair Car | Reclining seat | YES | 2×2S | 73–78 | C |
| EC | Executive Chair Car | Reclining seat | YES | 3×2S | 56 | E |
| SL | Sleeper | 6-berth bay | NO | Base | 72–80 | S |
| 2S | Second Sitting | Bench seat | NO | 0.6×SL | 108 | D |
*Fare level = approximate multiple of Sleeper (SL) base fare as on 2024-25.
2. Quota-wise Accommodation
| Quota | Applicable Classes | % of Total Berths | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| General (GN) | All | 55–60% | Open to all passengers |
| Tatkal (TQ) | Except 2S & EC | 30–35% | Booking opens 1 day before |
| Premium Tatkal (PT) | All AC classes | 5–10% | Dynamic fare |
| Ladies (LD) | SL, 3A, 2A, 1A | 10% | For women ≥ 45 yrs or with child <12 |
| Senior Citizen | All | Separate quota | M: ≥60 yrs, F: ≥58 yrs |
| Divyaang (HP) | All | 4–6 berths | Concession + lower berth |
3. Concession & Fare Facts (2024)
- Senior Citizen: 40 % (men ≥60) & 50 % (women ≥58) on base fare only.
- Divyaang: 50–75 % depending on disability; escort gets 75 %.
- Students: 50 % on SL & 2S (MUST have valid concession certificate).
- Total earning from reserved segment (2022-23): ₹54,310 cr (83 % of total passenger earnings).
- Average occupancy: 1A (65 %), 2A (72 %), 3A (87 %), SL (92 %).
4. Berth & Seat Numbering Pattern
| Coach Type | Layout | Berth Number Series | Side Berth Marking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sleeper/3A/3E | 3×3×2 bays | 1→72 (lower→upper) | SL=Side Lower, SU=Side Upper |
| 2A | 2×2×2 bays | 1→46 (A→D cabin) | No side middle |
| 1A | Cabin (4) & Coupe (2) | 1→18 (cabin A-E) | Coupe = 1 & 3, Cabin = 5-18 |
| Chair Car | 3×2 aisle | 1→73 window→aisle | — |
Memory tip:
- Even = Lower (1,3,5…)
- Odd = Upper (2,4,6…)
5. Train-wise Maximum Permitted Classes
- Rajdhani Express: 1A, 2A, 3A only (no SL/2S).
- Duronto: 1A, 2A, 3A, 3E, SL.
- Garib Rath: Only 3A & CC (air-conditioned low-cost).
- Vande Bharat: EC & CC (semi-high speed).
- Jan Shatabdi: CC & 2S (no sleeper).
6. Quick Reference – Booking Rules
| Parameter | GN | Tatkal | Premium Tatkal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Booking opens | 120 days before | 1 day before (10:00 AM AC / 11:00 AM SL) | Same as Tatkal |
| ID proof needed | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Refund on cancellation | As per rule | No refund (except train cancellation) | No refund |
| Dynamic fare | No | Fixed extra | 30 % → 1.5×GN fare |
7. RRB Exam Hot Points
- Highest fare class – 1A (First AC).
- Only class with cabin & coupe – 1A.
- Lowest AC class – 3E (AC 3-Tier Economy).
- Only chair-car train with Executive class – Vande Bharat & Shatabdi.
- Maximum berths in one coach – 2S (108).
- Coach code for 2A – “A”; for 3A – “B”.
- Tatkal opening time for AC classes – 10:00 AM previous day.
- Side middle berth removed in – 3A/2A (2010).
- Minimum age for senior citizen concession – Men 60 yrs, Women 58 yrs.
- 50 % concession to blind persons travelling with escort – TRUE.
Frequently Asked Questions in RRB
Q1. Which class has the maximum number of berths in a single coach?
→ 2S (Second Sitting) with 108 seats.
Q2. What is the coach code for AC 3-Tier Economy?
→ M.
Q3. In which class is “Cabin” & “Coupe” available?
→ First AC (1A).
Q4. Which trains run with only Chair Car classes?
→ Vande Bharat & some Shatabdi expresses.
Q5. Is there any concession for AIDS patients?
→ Yes, 50 % on SL & 2S (on production of certificate from CSW/ICTC).
Q6. When was dynamic pricing introduced in Premium Tatkal?
→ 2015-16 Railway Budget.
Q7. What is the colour of 1A coach stripe?
→ Red (indicates highest class).
Q8. Can a passenger upgrade from SL to 3A after charting?
→ Yes, through onboard TTE subject to vacancy & fare difference.
Q9. How many berths are kept for Divyaang quota in 3A coach?
→ 6 (3 lower + 3 upper).
Q10. Which class has the least average occupancy?
→ First AC (≈65 %).
8. Practice MCQs (15)
Directions: Choose the correct option.
-
Which class has the highest fare multiplier compared to Sleeper?
a) 2A b) 3A c) 1A d) EC
Ans: c) 1A -
Coach designation letter for AC 3-Tier is:
a) A b) B c) C d) M
Ans: b) B -
Maximum permissible berths in a 2S coach are:
a) 72 b) 80 c) 90 d) 108
Ans: d) 108 -
Tatkal booking for AC classes opens at:
a) 08:00 b) 10:00 c) 11:00 d) 12:00
Ans: b) 10:00 -
Which of the following trains does NOT have Sleeper class?
a) Duronto b) Rajdhani c) Jan Shatabdi d) Garib Rath
Ans: b) Rajdhani -
The colour stripe on First AC coach is:
a) Yellow b) Blue c) Red d) Green
Ans: c) Red -
Concession for female senior citizen is:
a) 25 % b) 40 % c) 50 % d) 75 %
Ans: c) 50 % -
AC 3-Tier Economy class code is:
a) 3A b) 3E c) M d) Both b & c
Ans: d) Both b & c -
Which berth number always represents Side Lower in SL coach?
a) 1 b) 2 c) 7 d) 8
Ans: c) 7 -
Dynamic fare is applicable in:
a) Tatkal b) Premium Tatkal c) Ladies quota d) General
Ans: b) Premium Tatkal -
Minimum age for men to avail senior citizen concession is:
a) 58 b) 60 c) 62 d) 65
Ans: b) 60 -
Which of the following classes has no air-conditioning?
a) CC b) EC c) SL d) 3E
Ans: c) SL -
Total number of cabins in a standard 1A coach is:
a) 2 b) 3 c) 4 d) 5
Ans: c) 4 -
Which train first introduced 3E class?
a) Duronto b) Garib Rath c) Rajdhani d) Vande Bharat
Ans: b) Garib Rath -
Refund on cancellation of a confirmed Tatkal ticket is:
a) 50 % b) 25 % c) Nil d) Full if cancelled 24 h before
Ans: c) Nil
Revise the tables & numbers daily – 3–4 direct questions are sure-shot from this topic in every RRB CBT.
BETA
