The central government has implemented stricter penalties under the Jan Vishwas Act 2026, with the Railway Board instructing all zonal networks to prepare for the new regulations following Presidential assent to amendments of the Railways Act, 1989. According to reports, the minimum penalty for travelling without a valid ticket or pass will double from ₹250 to ₹500, with passengers also required to pay applicable fare. Those refusing to pay could face legal proceedings, while travelling on another person's ticket will result in immediate forfeiture along with applicable fare and excess charges, subject to a minimum liability of ₹500. The new provisions significantly increase penalties for offences affecting passenger convenience and safety, with the focus shifting from criminal prosecution to heavy monetary fines to boost compliance and safety. The Railway Ministry will implement these new rules from July 1, 2026, focusing on making train journeys safer, more disciplined, and passenger-friendly. The revised rules represent a shift in how Indian Railways handles minor offences, with the system now focusing more on immediate financial penalties instead of relying mainly on criminal proceedings.
Recent enforcement actions demonstrate the new penalty structure's impact, with a joint RPF and TTE team catching 10 illegal hawkers in a 30 June 2026 anti-illegal hawker drive in the CSMT-Kalyan section, imposing a penalty of ₹20,000 on them. As reported, the same team also caught 46 passengers without tickets and imposed a penalty of ₹18,370. The new provisions significantly increase penalties for unauthorised hawking and begging, with offenders facing civil penalties of up to ₹2,000, while repeat offenders could face imprisonment of up to one year. Under the revised rules, unauthorized hawking and illegal trading inside station premises or on trains will now attract an immediate fine of ₹2,000 and then ₹5,000 for repeat offenders, depending on the nature of the offense. Railway authorities will also have the power to remove violators from stations and trains.
The amendments introduce stricter penalties for passenger safety and conduct violations. According to the new rules, passengers engaging in smoking, drunken behaviour, using abusive language or causing public nuisance may face fines of up to ₹2,000, while those creating general disturbances or interfering with railway amenities could be penalised ₹1,000. Dangerous travel, including travelling on train roofs, steps or engines, will now attract a penalty of up to ₹2,000, compared with the earlier ₹500 fine. Men found travelling in coaches or occupying berths reserved for women without authorisation may face fines of up to ₹2,500 and immediate removal. To curb public nuisances, smoking in and around railway stations will be penalized with a ₹2,000 fine, while creating a drunken nuisance or disturbance leads to a ₹1,000 fine or a 24-hour imprisonment. The revised framework also targets passengers found travelling on any part of the train not meant for passengers, with a civil penalty of up to ₹2,000, replacing the earlier fine of up to ₹500.
The Act includes stricter penalties for safety-related violations, with carrying hazardous or prohibited goods on trains inviting a minimum court-mandated fine of ₹10,000 with a potential prison sentence of up to six months. Trespassing into prohibited railway areas will attract a ₹500 fine. The legislation also provides for an automatic 10% revision in penalties every three years, unless the government prescribes a separate revision mechanism, ensuring fines remain an effective deterrent against violations. The new framework clarifies that these instant penalties can be collected on the spot by authorized railway officers, bypassing lengthier court proceedings unless a passenger explicitly refuses to pay. Railway authorities will also have the power to remove violators from stations and trains. The revised law also strengthens protection for women passengers, with men found entering or remaining in accommodation reserved for women now facing a ₹2,500 civil penalty, with court proceedings possible if unpaid, while the revised provision expressly exempts transgender persons from proceedings under this section.
The July 1 changes represent a significant shift in Indian Railways' enforcement approach, moving away from criminal prosecution for minor offences toward higher financial penalties. The revised framework places greater emphasis on monetary penalties while retaining legal action for non-compliance, with the government's objective to reduce fare evasion, improve passenger safety, and discourage misuse of railway facilities. Indian Railways has increased penalties for misuse of railway accommodation and facilities, with the previous maximum fine of ₹150 replaced by a civil penalty of up to ₹2,000. The move comes as Indian Railways continues to report large numbers of ticketless travellers during routine ticket-checking drives across the country, with every year resulting in significant revenue losses and contributing to overcrowding on trains. For passengers, the message is clear: travel with a valid ticket, respect reserved spaces, and follow railway regulations to avoid substantially higher penalties, with the revised penalties intended to encourage passengers to purchase valid tickets before boarding and improve the overall travel experience.
