Types of Berths in Indian Railways
In Sleeper (SL) and 3AC (3A) Coaches — 6 Berths Per Bay
| Berth Type | Code | Position | Preference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Berth | LB | Bottom berth, easy access | Most preferred ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Middle Berth | MB | Between lower and upper | Least preferred ⭐⭐ |
| Upper Berth | UB | Top berth, climb required | Good for younger travellers ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Side Lower | SL | Side wall, bottom, narrower | Second most preferred ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Side Upper | SU | Side wall, top, narrower | Average preference ⭐⭐⭐ |
In 2AC (2A) Coaches — 4 Berths Per Bay
2AC has Lower, Upper, Side Lower, and Side Upper (no Middle berth). Berths are wider and have curtains for privacy. Bedroll (pillow, blanket, sheet) is provided in 2AC and 3AC.
Which Berth Should You Choose?
- Elderly/with luggage → Lower Berth (LB): Easy to get in/out, can sit during daytime, store luggage underneath
- Young travellers → Upper Berth (UB): More privacy, less disturbance, cooler in summer (AC trains)
- Travelling alone → Side Lower (SL): Only 2 passengers share the section, more personal space
- Avoid Middle Berth (MB): Can only be used after 10 PM, awkward height, must wait for lower berth passenger to fold their berth
How to Request Your Preferred Berth
During IRCTC booking, a "Berth Preference" dropdown appears. Options: Lower (LB), Upper (UB), Window Lower (WL), Middle (MB), No Preference. Select your preference — IRCTC tries to accommodate but does not guarantee it. The final berth is assigned after chart preparation.
Senior Citizen Lower Berth Quota
Indian Railways reserves a certain number of lower berths per train for senior citizens (men 60+, women 45+). When booking on IRCTC with the correct age, the system automatically tries to allot a lower berth. If you qualify, select the senior citizen concession option during booking.
After Booking — Check Your Berth
After chart preparation, your exact berth number appears in your PNR status. Check it at PNR Alert — it shows coach and berth (e.g., S5/24 or B2/47). Subscribe for free WhatsApp alerts to get your berth details immediately after chart is prepared.