Indian Railways has ramped up its enforcement efforts to curb unauthorized travel across its network. Between April and July 2026, Central Railway’s dedicated ticket checking squads caught 15.46 lakh passengers traveling without valid tickets or proper authorization, leading to a substantial collection of ₹121.31 crore in penalties. This crackdown underscores the national transporter’s commitment to ensuring a comfortable and fair journey for all ticket-holding passengers.
- 15.46 lakh unauthorized passengers apprehended by Central Railway.
- ₹121.31 crore collected in penalties between April and July 2026.
- Minimum fine for AC coach violations increased to ₹500 as of July 1, 2026.
- New regulations include a 10% automatic fine increase every three years.
- Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announces major AI-powered PRS system upgrade for August 2026.
Updated Penalty Rules and Travel Regulations
Under Section 138 of the Railways Act, traveling in an AC coach with a general ticket is strictly prohibited. Following the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, the minimum penalty for this violation was revised to ₹500 effective July 1, 2026. Passengers must also pay the fare difference between their general ticket and the applicable AC class. Specifically, penalty charges—excluding the fare difference—are approximately ₹455 plus GST for AC 3 Tier and ₹640 plus GST for AC 2 Tier travel.
If a passenger is found in an AC coach without a valid ticket and no berths are available, TTEs are authorized to deboard the passenger at the next scheduled halt. However, if a traveler boards a higher class due to a genuine emergency and informs the TTE immediately, they may be allowed to upgrade by paying the fare difference and the ₹500 penalty, provided a berth is available.
Technology Upgrades for Passenger Convenience
Looking toward future improvements, Indian Railways is preparing to launch a significant upgrade to its Passenger Reservation System (PRS) in August 2026. This system will feature AI-powered waitlist predictions to help passengers plan their journeys more effectively. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, alongside Ministers of State for Railways Ravneet Singh and V. Somanna, has conducted high-level reviews to ensure this transition enhances the overall passenger experience and minimizes booking complications.