Indian Railways Hikes Penalties for Ticketless Travel, Smoking and Other Offences; New Fines Effective from June 20
Indian Railways has introduced a revised penalty structure for various offences under the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026, with the new fines coming into effect from June 20, 2026. The move is aimed at improving discipline, enhancing revenue collection and reducing litigation by replacing imprisonment for minor offences with higher monetary penalties.
One of the most significant changes is the doubling of the minimum penalty for ticketless travel from ₹250 to ₹500. Railway authorities believe the revised fines will act as a deterrent against violations and help create a more orderly travel environment across the country’s vast rail network.
Revised Penalties Under Indian Railways
| S.No | Offence | New Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Travelling without a ticket | ₹500 (minimum) |
| 2 | Travelling on another person’s ticket | ₹500 |
| 3 | Illegal hawking | ₹2,000 |
| 4 | Drunkenness and creating nuisance | ₹1,000 |
| 5 | Use of abusive language | ₹1,000 |
| 6 | Obstructing railway staff on duty | ₹2,500 |
| 7 | Trespassing on railway premises | ₹500 |
| 8 | Refusal to vacate a reserved coach without a valid ticket | ₹2,000 |
| 9 | Disobeying railway drivers or conductors | ₹500 |
| 10 | Male passengers travelling in ladies’ coaches | ₹2,500 |
| 11 | False declaration of goods | ₹500 per quintal |
| 12 | Carrying offensive or prohibited goods | ₹10,000 |
| 13 | Defacing public notices | ₹2,000 |
| 14 | Smoking in railway premises or coaches | ₹2,000 |
Passengers travelling without a valid ticket will also have to pay the applicable fare and excess charge in addition to the minimum penalty of ₹500.
Objective Behind the Changes
The amendments form part of the Government of India’s broader Jan Vishwas initiative, which seeks to improve the ease of doing business and reduce the burden of criminal cases arising from minor violations under various central laws.
In the railway sector, the emphasis is on encouraging compliance through stricter financial penalties while decriminalising minor offences by replacing jail terms with monetary fines.
According to railway officials, ticketless travel, unauthorised vending and other violations result in substantial revenue losses every year. The revised penalties are expected to improve passenger discipline and boost non-fare revenue.
The Ministry of Railways has instructed all zonal railways to widely publicise the new rules through station announcements, digital displays, posters and social media campaigns.
Impact on Passengers
With more than 2.5 crore passengers travelling daily on Indian Railways, the new penalties are expected to affect a large number of commuters, especially those travelling on suburban and long-distance routes.
Railway authorities have placed particular emphasis on two offences:
- Male passengers travelling in ladies’ coaches: Fine increased to ₹2,500.
- Smoking in stations and trains: Penalty increased to ₹2,000.
Officials have clarified that genuine passengers will not face unnecessary inconvenience. However, deliberate and repeated violations will attract strict action under relevant provisions of the Railways Act.
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Ticket Checking Staff (TTEs) have been directed to intensify inspections, particularly on express and long-distance trains.
Advice for Passengers
Railways has urged passengers to follow basic travel rules to avoid penalties:
- Always carry a valid paper ticket or e-ticket.
- Travel only in the coach allotted as per reservation.
- Avoid smoking, drunken behaviour and abusive conduct.
- Do not obstruct railway staff during duty.
- Purchase tickets only from authorised railway counters or the IRCTC platform.
- Avoid carrying prohibited or offensive goods.
Expert Opinion
Railway analysts have termed the move a balanced approach, saying that increasing fines while reducing criminal prosecution for minor offences can help reduce the burden on courts and improve operational efficiency.
However, some passenger welfare groups have expressed concerns that steep increases in penalties may impact daily commuters, particularly in overcrowded suburban sections where unintentional violations sometimes occur.
Despite these concerns, Indian Railways believes the revised penalty regime will improve discipline, reduce revenue leakage and make train travel safer and more orderly. Detailed information regarding the amended provisions has been uploaded on the official Indian Railways and zonal railway websites for passenger awareness.
