I am not sure regarding your first question. But with reference to your point about UB for Sr Ctzns, I would like to draw your attention to the SS quota started by IR on all important trains. This is all lower berths and meant for male Sr Ctzns and women above 45 travelling ALONE. So if you book your berth as a Senior Citizen on a separate form and if SS has vacany the system will alot you the berth. However, this also means that your lower berth maybe away from that of your companions who have booked by a separate form