Indian Railways will implement a new set of rules and higher penalties starting July 1, 2026. These changes come under the Jan Vishwas Act, 2026, to improve discipline and safety across the network. Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced these reforms as part of the 52 reforms in 52 weeks initiative.
👉: Police Recruitment Exam: Danapur Division to operate 13 special trains on June 23 and 24।
What are the new penalties for passengers
The Railway Board has increased fines for various violations to curb irregularities. Ticketless travel will now cost a minimum of ₹500, and using someone else’s ticket will attract a ₹500 fine. Men entering ladies’ coaches will face a ₹2,500 penalty. Other strict rules include fines for smoking, littering, and unruly behavior.
| Violation | Penalty Amount |
|---|---|
| Ticketless Travel | ₹500 (Minimum) |
| Using another person’s ticket | ₹500 (Minimum) |
| Men in Ladies’ Coaches | ₹2,500 |
| Begging/Unauthorized Hawking | ₹2,000 |
| Smoking in prohibited areas | ₹2,000 |
| Entering restricted areas | ₹500 to ₹5,000 |
| Unruly behavior/Abusive language | ₹1,000 |
| Hazardous materials | ₹10,000 (Minimum) |
New rules for tickets and boarding
Passengers can now change their boarding station digitally up to 30 minutes before the train departs from its origin. For refunds, counter tickets can now be canceled at any railway counter in India. E-ticket holders no longer need to file a TDR as refunds will be processed automatically.
- Cancellation > 72 hours: Flat minimum charge.
- Cancellation 72 to 24 hours: 25% charge.
- Cancellation 24 to 8 hours: 50% refund.
- Cancellation < 8 hours: No refund.
Rules for reserved coaches and sleeping hours
Waitlisted passengers are now strictly prohibited from entering reserved coaches like AC or Sleeper and must use unreserved coaches. To ensure passenger comfort, the official sleeping window is 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Middle and upper berth users must fold their berths during the day. A Quiet Hours policy will be enforced after 10:00 PM, making earphones mandatory for all audio devices.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the fine for traveling without a ticket after July 1, 2026?
The minimum fine for ticketless travel will be doubled from ₹250 to ₹500, and the passenger must also pay the applicable fare for the distance traveled.
Can waitlisted passengers travel in Sleeper or AC coaches?
No, waitlisted passengers are strictly prohibited from entering reserved coaches. They are permitted to travel only in unreserved coaches.
What are the new rules for changing the boarding point?
Passengers can now change their boarding station digitally up to 30 minutes before the train departs from its originating station.