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In a significant revelation, a Right to Information (RTI) response has exposed that the Indian Railways earned an additional βΉ8,913 crore in the last five years following the suspension of senior citizen concessionsβa move initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic and still in effect.
The Railway Ministry had withdrawn the fare concessions for senior citizens on March 20, 2020, citing pandemic-related financial constraints. Prior to this, males and transgender passengers aged 60 and above were entitled to a 40% discount, while females aged 58 and above received a 50% concession on train tickets across all classes.
According to the data obtained under the RTI Act by Madhya Pradesh-based activist Chandra Shekhar Gaur, between March 20, 2020, and February 28, 2025, a total of 31.35 crore senior citizens traveled without receiving any discount. This group included 18.279 crore males, 13.065 crore females, and 43,536 transgender individuals.
The Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS), which operates under the Ministry of Railways and maintains ticketing and passenger data, provided the gender-segregated figures. CRIS is also responsible for developing and maintaining a wide range of railway-related services and data systems.
Based on a gender-wise analysis of revenue, Mr. Gaur shared that the Indian Railways earned approximately βΉ11,531 crore from male senior citizen passengers, βΉ8,599 crore from female passengers, and βΉ28.64 lakh from transgender travellers. The total revenue from all senior citizen passengers stood at βΉ20,133 crore.
Gaur explained, βConsidering the withdrawal of 40% concession for male and transgender passengers and 50% for female passengers, the additional income that Railways earned from this group alone amounted to βΉ8,913 crore.β
Despite repeated public appeals and discussions in Parliament, the Railway Ministry has remained firm in its stance against restoring the concessions. Responding to queries in the Lok Sabha on March 19, 2025, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated,
βIndian Railways strives to provide affordable services to all strata of the society and gave subsidies of βΉ56,993 crore on passenger tickets in 2022-23. This amounts to a concession of 46% on average, to every person travelling on Railways.β
He further clarified,
βIn other words, for easier understanding, if the cost of providing service is βΉ100, then the price of the ticket is βΉ54 only. This subsidy is continuing for all passengers.β
The Railway Minister emphasized that other concession categories are still in effect, including benefits for four categories of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjans), 11 categories of patients, and eight categories of students.
However, Mr. Gaur strongly criticized the Ministryβs justification and called for the immediate restoration of senior citizen concessions, stating that the principle of a welfare state must include tangible support for the elderly.
βA common citizen pays various taxes throughout his life, contributes to the nationβs economy and development, and on entering the age of senior citizen, canβt he expect the facility of concessional railway tickets from the Railways?β he questioned.
βOn what ground does the government call itself a welfare state if basic relief to retired, elderly individuals is taken away permanently?β
He added that the financial strain faced by senior citizens, many of whom depend solely on pensions or family support, cannot be ignored. βRestoring concessions is not just a matter of moneyβit is about dignity and recognition for a lifetime of contribution,β Gaur said.
The data disclosed through the RTI Act brings to light not just the magnitude of earnings made by Railways post-concession withdrawal, but also the human aspect of policymaking that may be missing from the debate. As modernization and efficiency drive Indian Railwaysβ transformation, there is a growing demand for balancing fiscal prudence with empathy.
With a total of βΉ8,913 crore extra earnings from this single policy change, the onus now lies on the government to decide whether this revenue gain is worth the growing public dissatisfaction and concern regarding senior citizen welfare.
