Free Train Travel: Indian Railways offers free travel facilities to certain categories of people. These individuals do not need to buy a ticket. The benefit applies to young children, railway employees, patients with specific illnesses, and in some special cases. Here’s a detailed look at who can travel for free on trains:

1. Free Travel for Young Children
1. Including premium trains like Rajdhani and Shatabdi expresses children below 5 years of age can travel for free.
2. Even though the travelling is free for the children below five years, childrens should share the seat with their parents or guardians. There won’t be any separate birth alloted for children.
3. If parents want to get a separate seat for the child, they have to buy the ticket separately. There might be situations where a child’s birth certificate can be used as age proof. So it is advised to carry your child’s birth certificate scanned copy.

2. Free Passes for Railway Employees:
1. Railway employees and their families are allowed to travel free on the train. This benefit applies to both current employees and retired staff. Spouses, children, and parents of railway workers can also avail this facility.
2. Employees receive special railway passes, allowing them three full passes and four privilege ticket orders (PTOs) every year.
3. Using the same pass, the entire family can travel together for free.

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3. Free Travel for Patients and Caregivers:
1. Patients who is suffering from life threating diseases like cancer and thalassemia can travel for free on Indian Railways.
2. During this travel patient can get one caretaker and he/she can also travel free of cost on train.
3. This benefit includes a 100% fare exemption in Second Class and Sleeper Class on Mail and Express trains. However, it does not apply to premium trains.

To avail this facility, patients must present a doctor’s certificate from a government hospital and fill out a concession form before booking tickets.

4. Discounts on Train Tickets:
1. Apart from free travel, Indian Railways offers discounts to certain groups:
2. Senior citizens: Women aged 58 and above, and men aged 60 and above, get 50% off on fares.
3. Students and defence personnel also receive fare concessions.

Rules and eligibility criteria may change from time to time, so passengers are advised to check the official websites, indianrail.gov.in or IRCTC, for the latest updates.

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