What time can I open the middle berth?
A middle berth may be kept open for sleeping only between 10 PM and 6 AM. Outside those hours it stays folded.
The rule
This cuts both ways. If you hold the middle berth you are entitled to put it up at 10 PM and nobody may object. If you hold the lower berth you are entitled to sit upright during the day without the middle berth over your head.
Other rules at this stage
Your seat, your neighbours, and what the TTE can and cannot do.
Your berth is held for a while if you are late
If you miss your boarding station, your berth is not handed to a waitlisted passenger immediately.
Lower berths go to those who need them
Lower berths are allotted automatically to senior citizens and to women travelling alone, where available.
Your allotted berth is yours
Nobody may occupy your reserved berth, including waitlisted or RAC passengers, unless the TTE has reallocated it.
The alarm chain is for emergencies only
Pulling the chain without a proper reason is a criminal offence, not a fine you shrug off.
₹1,000, up to 1 year in prison
Questions
What time can I open the middle berth?
A middle berth may be kept open for sleeping only between 10 PM and 6 AM. Outside those hours it stays folded. This cuts both ways. If you hold the middle berth you are entitled to put it up at 10 PM and nobody may object. If you hold the lower berth you are entitled to sit upright during the day without the middle berth over your head.
What do people get wrong about this?
Middle berth holders often think they must ask permission to sleep. They do not, after 10 PM. Lower berth holders often think they own the seat all night. They do not.
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