Indian Railways emergency quota: Indian Railways has released some berths under emergency quota in various trains and different classes, the Ministry of Railways said in reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha. A limited number of berths have been earmarked as Emergency Quota for the government officials including central government ministers, judges of Supreme Court/High Courts of various states and Members of Parliament. “In order to meet the urgent travel requirements of High Official Requisition (HOR) holders, which includes Central government ministers, Judges of Hon’ble Supreme Court/High Courts of various States, Members of Parliament and other emergent demands, who are on the waiting list, a limited number of berths have been earmarked as emergency quota in different trains and in different classes,”  the Upper House was informed on Tuesday. 
 
The ministry said it releases these quota "in accordance with the priority as per warrant of precedence". Further, it said the remaining berths under this quota will be considered taking into account factors such as nature of urgency, travelling on government duty, bereavement in the family, sickness and job interview. Emergency quota cells are located at zonal/divisional headquarters as well as some remote stations.
  
Last month, Railways said that it will offer unutilised berths under women quota first to women passengers on the waiting list and then to senior citizens. At present, this quota remains open for booking till the time of preparation of chart and the unutilised seats are given to the wait-listed passengers, irrespective of their gender. 
 
Currently, in all trains with reserved sleeping accommodation, six lower berths per sleeper-class coach and three lower berths per AC 3-tier and AC 2-tier coach is available for senior citizens, female passengers of 45 years of age and above and pregnant women.