How are train numbers allotted to Indian trains?

Before 1989, trains had numbers that were allotted by their respective zonal railways (and much before, by the independent railway companies). These numbers were usually simply sequential, starting from 1 and working up through 1-digit, 2-digit, and 3-digit numbers. These were not necessarily unique across the zones. read more

It indicates the type of passenger train. 0 is for special trains (e.g., summer specials, holiday specials, etc.) 1 is for all long-distance trains, including the Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Sampark Kranti, Garib Rath, Duronto, etc. 2 is also for long-distance trains; it is to be used when train numbers starting with 1 are exhausted in any series. read more

But the seat numbers are also followed according to the algorithm. Seat allocation follows from the center of a bogie to the ends. If many persons book under the same ticket, then they will be getting in the same coupe. read more