In a major move to enhance passenger convenience, the Ministry of Railways has revised its class upgradation scheme by incorporating several newly introduced train classes. This update aims to streamline the upgrade process for passengers and ensure a smoother travel experience when higher-class seats are available.
The recent amendment, dated May 13, 2025, officially brings the Vistadome non-AC (VS), Vistadome coach (EV), Executive Anubhuti (EA), and Third AC Economy (3E) classes into the fold of the existing upgradation scheme. These classes, introduced after 2014, were previously excluded from the original policy initiated in 2006, which allowed full-fare passengers to be upgraded to a higher class subject to seat availability.
The upgradation process is now categorized under two main types: sitting and sleeping accommodation. For sitting classes, the hierarchy moves upward from 2S (Second Seating) to VS (Vistadome non-AC), CC (Chair Car), EC (Executive Class), EV (Vistadome Coach), and EA (Executive Anubhuti). For sleeping accommodation, the sequence starts from SL (Sleeper Class), followed by 3E (Third AC Economy), 3A (Third AC), 2A (Second AC), and 1A (First AC).
As per the updated rules, passengers can be upgraded by up to two levels higher than their original booking class, depending on seat availability. However, upgrades to premium classes like 1A and EC/EV/EA will be restricted to direct lower classes only. For example, only passengers from 2A can be upgraded to 1A, and only those in CC can be upgraded to EC, EV, or EA.
It’s important to note that only full-fare-paying passengers are eligible for auto-upgradation. Those booking under special quotas, such as senior citizen or lower berth quotas, should be cautious, as the upgrade may not guarantee a lower berth in the new class. Additionally, the auto-upgrade option must be selected at the time of ticket booking. For instance, a 3A waitlisted passenger who opts in for auto-upgradation could be moved to 2A if there is no waiting list in that class.
The Ministry has also announced that any new train class introduced in the future will automatically be included in this scheme, with upgrades allowed up to two classes higher, subject to the fare structure and availability. This marks a continuation of the 2014 amendment that had earlier extended the upgradation policy to sitting accommodations on mail and express trains.
With these changes, Indian Railways seeks to improve the travel experience, enhance occupancy in higher classes, and offer more flexibility to its passengers.
