In order to include the recently launched train classes—Viadome non-AC, Vistadome coach, Executive Anubhuti, and Third AC Economy, or 3E—into its purview, the Railway Ministry modified its upgrade plan.

“A plan to upgrade full-fare-paying passengers to the next higher class against the available vacant accommodation was introduced in 2006 in order to maximize the use of available accommodation in a train.” According to a ministry circular dated May 13, “this scheme is currently available in all types of trains, including those with sitting accommodation.”

Since the new train classes, Vistadome non-AC (VS), Vistadome coach (EV), Executive Anubhuti (EA), and 3E, were introduced after 2014, when the upgradation scheme was last modified, the ministry has examined the current plan to place them under the hierarchy for upgrading, it said.

The circular states that 2S (second seating class), VS, CC (chair car), EC (executive class), EV, and EA are the steps in the hierarchy for an upgrade in sitting accommodations from lower class to upper class.

In the same way, sleeper class (SL), 3E, third AC (3A), AC second class (2A), and AC first class (1A) make up the hierarchy for sleeping upgrades.

With the caveat that the upgrade in 1A and the executive class (EC, EV, and EA) can only be done from the class immediately below, i.e., 2A in the case of 1A and CC in the case of EC/EV/EA, the circular stated that “the upgrade shall be done up to two classes in the hierarchy, which are available in a particular train.”

A reservation supervisor claims that the hierarchy has become longer and offers more alternatives since the additional classes were added to the program.

Additionally, the circular included provisions for any future new class introduced by the Railways to be included in the upgrade process.

The circular said that “upgrading to the next two levels based on fare shall be the case in case any new class is introduced in the future.”

It also said, “The upgrade will be available to all travelers who have purchased tickets at full price. Passengers paying the full cost and making reservations under senior citizen or lower berth quotas could be advised to use the upgrade option with caution.

“If such passengers decide to upgrade, a notification should be sent out that they could be assigned to a lower bed in the higher class. The Centre for Railway Information Systems, or CRIS, will update the program with the appropriate features. According to reservation department officials, this program would only take into account travelers who choose auto-upgradation when purchasing their tickets.

According to a reservation supervisor, “if a 3A waiting passenger has chosen auto-upgradation, he or she can be upgraded to 2A without paying any additional fare, provided there is no waiting list of passengers for the 2A class and berths are lying vacant.”

The introduction of seating accommodations on all mail and express trains in 2014 marked the most recent amendment to this plan.

Prior to then, it applied to sleeping quarters on fast trains and the mail.