Concessions for commuters with blindness and low vision- FAQs

1. What are the concessions available for a visually impaired person? How can I avail concession facility?

Yes, concessions are available for a visually impaired person both by the railways and airlines. As per rule 101 of Indian Railways a visually impaired person can avail concession facility.

2. Who is eligible for a concession? Where can one obtain a railway concession certificate?

One can get the Railway Concession Certificate from Issuing Authority: The concession certificate can be issued by Medical Practitioner/Government Doctor/Heads of the Institutions for the Blind recognized by Ministry of Welfare/Govt. of India or Social Welfare Department of the concerned State Government. The copy of original certificate duly attested by a Gazetted Officer, M.P., M.L.A. etc. may be produced while collecting the ticket. The blind person may not be present at the station to purchase the ticket. A blind person travelling alone or with an escort, on production of a certificate from Government doctor or a registered medical practitioner, is eligible for a railway concession certificate.

3. What are the documents required to avail the railway concession certificate?
        1. Passport size photograph
        2. Disability certificate.

4. Can a low vision person avail railway concession facility?

A person with low vision can not avail the railway concession facility. Railway concession facility can be availed by a totally blind person with 100% blindness certificate.

5. Is the certificate valid across the country?

Yes, the certificate is valid across the country. One can get the Railway Concession Certificate from any state/district and can travel across the country.

6. What is the validity of the certificate?

The certificate is valid for five years from the date of issue. After the expiry of the certificate, the person is required to obtain a fresh certificate.

7. What are the categories for concession?

Sleeper class 75%, third tier 75% and second tier 50%.

8. What are the concessions for Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains?

A person travelling without an escort is eligible for a 25% concession in AC 3- Tier and AC Chair Car of Rajdhani and Shatabdi. An escort accompanying the person will be granted the same concession.

9. Can a person with visual impairment book a railway ticket online?

Yes, a person with visual impairment can do so.

10. What is the procedure for availing E-Ticketing facility by Indian Railways for commuters with blindness?

A person desirous of availing e-ticketing facility are requested to submit their original disability certificates along with three copies of recent passport size photographs, Concession certificate,   photo-identity proof and proof of Date of Birth in the Commercial Branch of nearest Divisional Railway Manager’s (DRM) Office. After due verification of the certificate/documents, such persons will be issued Photo-identity card through which facilities of e-ticketing can be availed for booking of rail tickets. Some salient features of the Photo-identity card are:
 This Photo-identity card is not transferable and must be used only on journey conducted by the person in whose name this card is issued. This card is eligible for booking of reserved tickets from counters as well as from internet on www.irctc.co.in. For availing the concession for bookings, the card number shall be mentioned at the time of booking. The card holder and escort accompanying the card holder must carry their respective Photo-identity cards in original during the journey for verification purpose by authorized railway official. At the time of booking concessional tickets at the counter, the card holder must produce the Photo-identity card in original.

Air concession

12. Can a visually impaired person avail concession in air fares?

The Indian Airlines Corporation allows 50% concessional fare to blind people on single journey or single fare for round trip journey on all domestic flights.

13.  How can one avail this facility?

To avail this facility one would have to go to the ticket counter with the disability certificate.  

14. What is the provision for escorts?
In case an escort is accompanying a visually impaired person then he would have to pay full fare. However, the Public Relations officer or the traffic officer in charge at the airport will render necessary assistance at the departure and arrival.
3. What are the concessions available in communication?

Exemption from Postal Fees-
(1)According to POST OFFICE GUIDE - Inland Post - 1July 1985 Blind literature packets are exempted from payment of the following fee besides being exempted from the payment of postage.
(i) Registration fee.
(ii) Fee for acknowledgement
(iii) Fee for the attested copy of the receipt.
(2) Postage free blind literature packets will be transmitted by surface route only, any if they are to be sent by air, the airmail charge as prescribed for packets has to be paid.