Indian Railways Penalty Rules 2026: Complete Guide for Passengers

In the Indian Railways, millions of passengers travel daily on the railways; it is the largest railway network in the world. For the passengers’ smooth and safe journey, railway authorities have laid down different rules and penalties for violations. Start from travelling without a ticket, or if it is on a waiting list, or extra luggage, to misusing the facilities offered by the Indian Railway. If they disturb the fellow passengers with every offence that leads to a fine and legal action. Indian Railways Penalty Rules 2026 give a complete guide to the passengers. 

In this blog, the Indian Railways Penalty Rules 2026 are explained, along with the latest rules,  regulations, and their consequences. Help the passengers to avoid unnecessary penalties during their journey. 

1- Luggage Rule in Train-

Indian Railways allowed passengers to carry a certain limit of personal luggage that is free of charge. It all depends on the travel classes, as every class has its own limit to carry. If passengers exceed the limits assigned by the Indian Railway, they need to pay an extra fee. If your luggage is heavy and the sizes are big, you need to book through parcel services. Carry the luggage in a manner that it will easily fit inside the rack under the seat without occupying the passage or blocking. 

If passengers carry excess luggage, the railway charges for it, or it is removed at the next station. So once you booked the tickets, it is advised to pack the luggage within limits to avoid the penalties and inconvenience during train travel. 

2- Middle Berth Rule-

The middle berth is placed in between the upper and lower berths. It needs to be folded during the day, and a particular time has been assigned by the Indian Railways. This is done as passengers can easily accommodate and sit during the daytime; if it does not fold, then providing seats for passengers is impossible to sit. It has a dual function and allotted time where the middle berth needs to fold and allow passengers to sit.

The middle berth in both sleeper (SL) and AC 3-Tier (3A) is designed in a way that is used during night hours from 10 PM-6 AM. The rest of the time, it needs to be folded so that passengers can sit. As per the Indian Railways Rules middle seat remains folded during the day. If you allot a middle berth, then Railway food orderwill be your saviour as you can order and get it delivered on time, and you will easily relish it. 

Timing for Using Middle Berth

Night Time: 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM → Middle berth can be opened for sleeping

Day Time: 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM → Middle berth must be kept folded

3- Chain Pulling Rule of Indian Railways-

As per the Indian Railway rule, pulling the chain is only allowed when there is an emergency; if anyone pulls it without any valid reason considered a serious offence. It comes under Section 141 of the Railway Act. The emergency chain is constructed for serious emergencies only, such as Medical crises, accidents, safety, and fire. Spot your trainbefore boarding so that you will not rush and avoid any single chance to pull the chain. 

When Can You Pull the Chain?

The chain should be pulled only when there is an emergency:-

• • If there is any medical emergency
  • Fire or any short circuit
  • If anyone falls from the train
    Safety of the passengers, threat

If anyone used it for personal issues, such as a train missing or being late boarding is considered illegal.

Penalty for Misuse

If any passengers pull the chain without a valid reason, they will need to pay more.

Fine: Up to ₹1,000
Jail: Up to 1 year imprisonment
Or handed to the Railway authorities.

4- Indian Railway ‘After 10 PM’ Rule-

It is an important rule for the passengers,and these special rules are applied to make the passengers’ journey more comfortable and peaceful. After 10:00 PM, no one can play loud music, noise control, and focus totally on passengers’ comfort during the night journey. 

Sleeping & Berth Rule (10 PM – 6 AM)

• Passengers are only allowed to sleep at the berths during this time frame 10 PM – 6 AM.
• The middle berth only opens during this particular time slot. 

Not anyone ask or forces others to sit or fold the berths during night-

• IRCTC Rules: Indian Railways issued the 10 PM Rules. 
• After 10 PM, even TTEs are not coming and asking for the ticket of the passenger.  
• Only the night light should be on, and the rest of the lights should be switched off. 
• Passengers can’t interact with each other after 10 PM. 
• Passengers can’t ask the middle berth co-passengers to open up their seats. 
• Book food on the train so that you can get it delivered before 10 PM. So that you can easily relish during the journey. 

5- Penalty for Travelling Drunk/Consuming Alcohol/Smoking on Train- 

Smoking, drinking alcohol, or travelling in a drunken state are considered serious offences as per the Indian Railways rules. All of these are strictly prohibited under section 144 of the Railway Act. Rules are basically meant to preserve the passengers’ safety, cleanliness, and regulation during the journey. Railways Penalty Rules are essential for a smooth journey. 

What Is Not Allowed?

Passengers are not permitted to:

• Cigarettes, or the use of tobacco or any intoxicating substances, are prohibited. 
• Consumption of alcohol inside trains or at a station.
• If this happens, it leads to a public nuisance, and this is about the safety risk. 

Penalty for Violation

If a passenger is caught:

• Fine: Up to ₹500
• First, they need to be warned, asked to get off the train, and hand it over to the Railway authorities. 

6- Penalty in Indian Railways for Travelling Without a Ticket-

In Indian Railways, if you are travelling without a valid ticket, it is considered a serious offence under the Railways Act, 1989, Section 138 – Travelling without a Proper Pass or Ticket. When you are travelling by train, you must carry a proper ticket and ID for proof. Check PNR Status before boarding the train if your ticket is in the waiting list and you board the train, you will be penalized, so avoid this by checking it earlier. Railways Penalty rules are strick and it will be different for every offence done in Train journey.

What Is Considered “Without Ticket” Travel?

You may be fined if you:

• Boarding without valid tickets. 
• Fake tickets and without any tickets. 
• If your ticket belongs to 3rd AC and you sit in a higher class. 
• Travelling without ID proof with an e-ticket. 
• Use others’ tickets.

If caught without a valid ticket, you may have to pay:

Minimum Fine: ₹250

Plus: Fare from the starting station to the current station

Maximum Fine (Serious Cases): Up to ₹1,000 + full fare

7- Penalty for Travelling in Ladies Compartment/Reserved Coach for Disabled Passengers-

In Indian Railways, there are a few coaches and seats that are specifically designed and reserved for women passengers and persons with disabilities (divyang passengers). These coaches are made to offer comfort, safety, and equal access. Without the authorities, it is considered a punishable offence. Railways penalty rules are strict when it comes to ladies, so before crossing, know the consequences.  

Who Can Use These Coaches?

Only the following passengers are allowed:

• Women passengers (in Ladies Coach / Ladies Reserved Seats)
• Persons with disabilities (in Divyang / Disabled Reserved Coaches)
• Authorized attendants (in some cases)

Not every passenger is allowed to occupy this space. 

Penalty for Violation

If any of the passengers are found using this space, consider as an offense,e and these are the given punishments- 

• Fine: Up to ₹250
• Plus: Difference in fare
•  Ask to go back to the allotted coach.
  
• TTE has the power to ask for penalties or any legal action on the spot. 

8- Penalty Rule for Travelling with an e-ticket without ID-

In Indian Railways, passengers travelling on an e-ticket booked through IRCTC must carry a valid photo identity card during the journey. If a passenger fails to show a valid ID when asked by the Ticket Examiner (TTE), the journey is treated as ticketless travel under Section 138 of the Railways Act.

What Is Considered a Violation?

You may be penalised if:

• You have an e-ticket but no valid photo ID
• Your ID does not match the name on the ticket
• You are carrying someone else’s e-ticket
• You show an expired or invalid ID
• In such cases, the e-ticket is considered invalid.

Penalty for No ID with E-Ticket

If caught without proper ID:

Minimum Fine: ₹250

Plus: Actual fare for the journey (as ticketless travel)
You may be asked to regularise the ticket or deboard at the next station
Legal action may be taken in serious or repeated cases

9- The “60-Day” Advance Reservation Period (ARP) Update

The Advance Reservation Period (ARP) is the time slot before your travel date during which you can easily book a reserved seat. Indian Railways allows passengers to book train ticket before 120 days before the start of the train journey. Now the system revised its policy and has reduced the time slot to 60 days (excluding the date of journey) for most trains across India. All in one train app RailRestro helps to make your journey indelible by offering the required information. 

Under this update:

Passengers can reserve their tickets only up to 60 days in advance, instead of the earlier 120-day window. All reservations already made under the old 120-day rule before the change remain valid and are not cancelled. The Railways penalty rules are revised in this case as well. 

This change has been made for the smooth and more efficient booking. Help to reduce the suppositional bulk by Brokers or Ticket agents. This leads to improved ticket availability for the travellers. 

10- Waitlisted Passengers in Reserved Coaches

As per the Indian Railways, those who have waitlisted (WL) tickets are not allowed to travel in reserved coaches. These are the classes Sleeper (SL), AC 3-Tier, AC 2-Tier, or First Class. A waitlisted ticket symbolises that your ticket is not confirmed, and a seat is not allotted to those people. Don’t have the right to occupy a berth or seat. Railways Penalty rules are given for waitlisted passengers. 

If you book tickets through IRCTC it cancelled if your tickets aren’t confirmed and remain waitlisted after the chart preparation. 

Read More- Indian Railways Train Chart Preparation: Everything Passengers Should Know

Important Rules for Waitlisted Passengers

• WL passengers cannot travel in reserved coaches
• Not allotted any seat to them. 
• Not allowed to sit on another seat or on the aisle. 
• With an unreserved ticket, passengers can only travel through the General coach. 
• If passengers travel without a valid ticket, you will be penalised. 

If a passenger is found travelling in a reserved coach with a waitlisted ticket:

Fine: Up to ₹250–₹440 (as per the different classes)

Plus: Fare difference
Asked to shift to general coaches and might be boarded to the next station. Different classes have their own charges or fines, so better to understand the classes and the amount. 

Read More- 1A, 2A, 3A, SL, CC and More: Complete Guide To Indian Train Classes

Ticketing Violations: Cancellations, Refunds, and Alterations

• Unauthorized travel is a serious concern for Indian Railways and disrupts smooth railway operations.
• Travelling without a valid ticket can lead to penalties and legal consequences.
• Boarding reserved coaches without proper authorization is punishable under railway rules.
• Passengers must understand these penalties to avoid fines and legal action.
• Group travel is also affected, especially when passengers travel with waitlisted tickets in reserved coaches.
• Waitlisted passengers found in reserved areas may face penalties.
• Online ticket refunds are processed automatically in case of cancellation.
• Offline ticket cancellations involve certain deduction charges.
• Passengers are advised to secure confirmed tickets before travel.
• If found in reserved coaches without authorization, a fine of ₹250 (Sleeper Class) or ₹440 (AC Class) may be imposed.

Conclusion- 

It is so important for the passengers to understand the Indian Railways Penalty Rules 2026. This is because it confirms a smooth, safe, and hassle-free journey. The rules related to the middle berth, luggage limits, and berth timings are strict. Misuse of reserved coaches, chain pulling, and traveling without an ID every rule and regulation is made in a way to maintain discipline and protect passengers. Ensures comfort and safety.  

If anyone ignores any of the rules that lead to fines, fare recovery, and deboarding at the next station, legal action will be taken.  If you are traveling alone or in a group, it is advised to book a confirmed ticket, bring valid ID proof, and avoid prohibited activities. 

By staying informed and travelling responsibly, passengers can avoid unnecessary penalties and enjoy a comfortable journey across the Indian Railways network.