What is the MCO quota (Defence Department Quota) in trains?

The MCO quota is the Defence Department Quota (DDQ) — reserved berths that Indian Railways earmarks on selected trains for Armed Forces personnel. It is held and released by the Movement Control Office (MCO) at major stations, so serving personnel can get confirmed berths even when the general quota is full.

How do I use this MCO quota finder?

Pick your MCO, then the originating station, then the train. The tool shows the Defence Department Quota berths held on that train by class (AC1, AC2, AC3, SL, etc.), the running days, and the contact number for that MCO. Confirm current availability and book through the MCO — the DDQ is not bookable directly on IRCTC.

Are these berth numbers guaranteed?

No. The berths shown are indicative — the actual quota held on a train and date is what the MCO can see, and allotments change. Use this as a starting point, then confirm with the MCO at your originating station before you plan travel.

Who can book under the MCO / DD quota?

Primarily serving Armed Forces personnel, with priority for duty travel on a movement order/warrant, and their families under the applicable rules. Ex-servicemen have separate railway concessions — veterans should confirm their entitlement with the MCO or records office.

Defence Department Quota · Indian Railways

MCO Quota in Trains for Defence Personnel

Select your Movement Control Office, station and train to see the Defence Department Quota (DDQ) berths held by class, running days, and the MCO contact number. Confirm and book through the MCO.

How it works

Reserved berths for defence travel

Released by the Movement Control Office

Contact your MCO to confirm & book

Find MCO quota on a train

Select MCO

From station

Select train

Browse MCO quota by office

Chennai MCO Bangalore (Bengaluru) MCO New Delhi MCO Delhi Jn MCO Mumbai MCO Secunderabad MCO Howrah MCO Guwahati MCO Hyderabad MCO Pune MCO Coimbatore MCO Jammu Tawi MCO Ahmedabad MCO Amritsar MCO Chandigarh MCO Jaipur MCO Jodhpur MCO Kanpur MCO Lucknow MCO Nagpur MCO Patna MCO Trivandrum MCO Visakhapatnam (Vizag) MCO Bhopal MCO Agra Cantt MCO Ajmer MCO Allahabad (Prayagraj) MCO Ambala Cantt MCO Bareilly MCO Bhuj MCO Bikaner MCO Gaya MCO Goa (Madgaon) MCO Gorakhpur MCO Gwalior MCO Dimapur MCO Mariani MCO Misamari MCO Rangiya MCO Tezpur MCO Tinsukia MCO H Nizamuddin MCO Jabalpur MCO Jaisalmer MCO Jalandhar MCO Jhansi MCO Kochi (Ernakulam) MCO Kota MCO Mathura MCO Meerut MCO Mhow MCO Pathankot MCO Patiala MCO Ranchi MCO Sealdah (Kolkata) MCO Silchar MCO Udhampur MCO Ahmednagar MCO Babina MCO Bari Brahmana MCO Bathinda MCO Belgaum MCO Binaguri MCO Brahmapur (Berhampur) MCO Dehradun / Haridwar MCO Delhi Cantt MCO Devlali MCO Ferozpur MCO Hashimara MCO Jamnagar MCO Kathgodam MCO Khadki (Kirkee) MCO New Jalpaiguri MCO Panagarh MCO Sagar (Sagour) MCO Sri Ganganagar MCO Emergency Quota (Strat Mov Dte) MCO

What is the MCO / Defence Department Quota?

Indian Railways reserves a block of berths on selected trains for the movement of Armed Forces personnel — the Defence Department Quota (DDQ), released through the Movement Control Office (MCO). For eligibility, duty vs leave travel, documents and the full booking process, read our complete MCO Quota guide.