Indian rail tickets for senior citizens

Yesterday I managed purchasing our first Indian rail tickets on the web. Actually it worked very well once you learned how to fool the computer. As my husband is 61, I clicked on senior citizen and was very pleased to receive the 30% deduction automatically on my computer. Whoever thought getting a discount in India could be that easy? Now, I just scrolled down some postings and someone advised that as a foreigner we are not supposed to click the senior citizen box. Why not? Is it true? Nothing was mentioned anywhere and my registration clearly indicated that we live in New Zealand. Any enlightenment? Tks. Henriette

i think it is in order. i also got this facility. since the whole thing is computerised, there should not be any discrimination.

Thank you for the re-assurance. Good point about the computerisation! I was just worried I might have missed some small print about having to be an Indian national. bye, H.

I was in India a few months ago and did not realise we were entitled to a discount for being 60. We purchased our tickets at a railway station and when we presented our passports the person behind the counter noticed our birthdates we were told we were entitled to a 30% discount. It is not just for Indian nationals, but anyone over 60.

Dear Bronwen, that most certainly reassures me. Thank you. I won't give it a moments further worry. H.

Yes, that was our experience, too. My 60 yr old husband was offered the reduction on several occasions.

This is wrong as the word citizen in itself indicates to the Indian Citizens.
You might have travelled on the ticket without any problem is my guess. If so once again say thanks to the ticket examiner

Actually, it's not wrong! Having checked with senior railway officials, they confirmed that ANYONE over the age of 60 is awarded this concession.

Yep. A number of our members have taken advantage of this discount, which is available to all, regardless of citizenship.

From Indian Railway website (http://www.indianrail.gov.in/reservation_Rules.html):

@ deorajchaturvedi - I think the phrase "any Government Institution/Agency" takes care of all Governments in this world!

The phrase "only on demand" means that you need to check/select the option senior citizen to be eligible for discount even if you're 60 yrs or above while booking through Internet.

Oh, an obvious point, the person(s) availing Senior Citizen discount must be able to provide their age proof (passports would have date of birth, so not an issue for foreigners in India )!