From July 1, 2026, passengers violating railway rules will have to pay higher monetary penalties following amendments to the Railways Act, 1989 under the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026.
The revised framework replaces criminal prosecution for several minor offences with civil penalties. While the changes reduce the legal burden on passengers for minor violations, they significantly increase the financial consequences of breaking railway rules.
One of the biggest changes relates to travelling without a valid ticket. Under the revised Section 137, passengers caught without a ticket must pay the applicable fare, excess charges, and a minimum penalty of Rs 500, with the government retaining the power to prescribe a higher amount in the future.
Earlier, ticketless passengers could face criminal proceedings. The new framework instead focuses on recovering the dues through a civil penalty mechanism, making enforcement more administrative than criminal.
The amendments also increase fines for several unsafe and unauthorised activities.
Passengers found travelling on train roofs, footboards, steps, or locomotive engines can now face a civil penalty of up to ₹2,000, compared with the earlier maximum fine of Rs 500. Similarly, the penalty for unauthorised use of railway accommodation or facilities has been increased from ₹150 to ₹2,000.
In both cases, legal proceedings are expected only if the offender refuses to pay the prescribed civil penalty.
The revised rules also tighten penalties for entering compartments reserved exclusively for women. Men found occupying these coaches or berths can now be fined ₹2,500, and railway authorities are empowered to remove them immediately.
Failure to pay the penalty may lead to court proceedings, where the fine can increase to ₹5,000. The amended law also specifies that transgender persons are not covered under this provision.
The latest amendments reflect the government's broader effort to simplify enforcement while improving passenger discipline across the railway network. Instead of pursuing criminal action for minor offences, Indian Railways will rely on steeper civil penalties to deter violations. For passengers, the message is clear: following railway rules is now less about avoiding prosecution and more about avoiding substantially higher fines.
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Published on: Jul 1, 2026, 4:50 PM IST
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