Train coach layouts

Sleeper Class (SL) is the non-AC three-tier sleeping coach that carries most long-distance Indian Railways passengers. Current LHB coaches carry 80 berths in 10 bays of 8 — a lower, middle and upper berth on both sides of the main compartment, plus a side lower and side upper across the aisle; older ICF rakes carry 72 berths in 9 bays.

AC 3 Tier (3A) is the air-conditioned three-tier sleeper — the same lower/middle/upper bay arrangement as Sleeper Class but sealed and climate-controlled, with bedding, pillows and reading lights included. LHB coaches carry 72 berths in 9 bays of 8; older ICF rakes carry 64. Vande Bharat Sleeper 3A coaches follow the same 3+3+2 bay layout but carry between 28 and 67 berths depending on position in the 16-coach rake.

AC 3 Tier Economy (3E) is a higher-density, lower-fare version of AC 3 Tier built only on LHB rakes. The first 2021 coaches packed 83 berths; current builds carry 80 in 10 bays of 8 after the extra side middle berths were dropped for headroom. Each berth gets its own AC vent, reading lamp and USB point.

AC 2 Tier (2A) is the two-tier air-conditioned sleeper — wider berths, individual privacy curtains and reading lights. With no middle berth, the LHB coach carries 52 berths (8 six-berth bays plus an end coupé): a lower and upper on both sides of each compartment plus a side lower and side upper. Older ICF coaches carry 46. Vande Bharat Sleeper 2A coaches use a 2+2+2 layout and carry 44–48 berths per coach.

AC First Class (1A) is the most premium sleeper — lockable private cabins and coupés off a side corridor instead of open bays, with carpeting and attendant service. The LHB coach carries 24 berths in four 4-berth cabins and four 2-berth coupés, every berth a lower or upper, arranged in alternating sequence along the corridor. The Vande Bharat Sleeper 1A coach also carries 24 berths but uses a different split: five 4-berth cabins and two 2-berth coupés, giving larger cabin interiors. Older ICF full coaches carried 18 berths.

Garib Rath AC 3 Tier is the high-density budget AC sleeper of Garib Rath Express trains, booked as 3A. The ICF coaches (lettered G) carry 78 berths by adding a Side Middle (SM) berth between the side lower and side upper — bays of 9 instead of the usual 8. These rakes are being replaced by LHB AC 3 Tier Economy coaches without side middle berths.

Executive Chair Car (EC) is the premium day-travel class on Shatabdi, Tejas and Vande Bharat services — wide 2+2 reclining seats with generous legroom. The LHB coach seats 56 in rows of four split by a central aisle; Vande Bharat executive coaches seat 52 with rotating seats.

Executive Anubhuti (EA) is the luxury chair car above Executive on select Shatabdi services — 56 seats in a 2+2 layout with aircraft business-class style cushioning, per-seat LCD screens, LED reading lights, call buttons and automatic doors.

AC Chair Car (CC) is the standard air-conditioned day-seating class on Shatabdi, Intercity and Vande Bharat trains — 2+3 upright seating across a central aisle. LHB and Vande Bharat coaches seat 78; double-decker chair cars seat 120 across two levels.

Second Sitting (2S) is the non-AC reserved day-seating class — 3+3 bench-style seating with open windows and fans, the most economical reserved option on intercity and passenger services. LHB coaches seat 102; older ICF coaches seat 108 and Jan Shatabdi coaches 103.

General or Unreserved (GS, often shown as GN/UR) is the walk-up class of Indian Railways — no reservation and no numbered seats, just 3+3 bench seating taken on a first-come basis. LHB general coaches are built for around 100 seated passengers; older ICF coaches around 90. Tickets are bought at the counter or on UTS and are valid on any train on the route within their time window.