Planning a train journey in India? Whether you’re travelling in a reserved coach or availing special concessions, it’s important to know the latest rules issued by Indian Railways. To ensure a smooth and hassle-free trip, here’s a detailed guide to the key guidelines every passenger should follow:
✅ 1. Identity Proof is Mandatory in Reserved Coaches
When travelling in the reserved class, at least one passenger per ticket must carry an original, valid identity proof. This is a mandatory requirement.
Accepted ID proofs include:
- Aadhaar Card
- Voter ID
- Passport
- PAN Card
- Driving Licence
- Government-issued ID cards (for students, employees, etc.)
🔴 Important:
If no one on the ticket is able to produce an ID proof in original, all passengers will be treated as travelling without a valid ticket and penal action may be taken.
🎟️ 2. Rules for Concession & Reservation Quotas
Indian Railways provides concession in fares and reservation quotas for specific categories of passengers such as:
- Senior Citizens
- Divyangjans (Persons with Disabilities)
- Pregnant Women
- Students
- Armed Forces personnel, etc.
To avail these facilities, passengers must carry valid proof of eligibility, both:
- At the time of booking
- During the journey
Examples:
- Senior Citizens must carry age proof (like Aadhaar or PAN Card).
- Pregnant Women using the senior citizen quota must carry a registered doctor’s certificate.
- Divyangjans must carry a valid disability certificate.
🔍 Railway authorities can check these documents during the journey. Failure to produce them can lead to cancellation of concession and penalty.
👶 3. Rules for Children’s Travel and Fare
👦 Children Under 5 Years:
- Travel free of cost.
- No separate berth is provided.
🧒 Children Aged 5 to 12 Years:
- Eligible to travel at 50% of the fare if no berth is requested.
- If a berth is needed, full fare must be paid.
🚨 Note: Railway staff may ask for age proof if a child’s age is in doubt. In the absence of valid documents, the child may be charged full fare or face penalties.
Carry documents like Birth Certificate, Aadhaar, School ID, etc.
📢 Final Reminder to Passengers
- Always carry the original ID for at least one passenger in the group.
- If availing any quota or concession, bring along the necessary certificates and documents.
- For children, keep age proof handy to avoid fare disputes.
- Passengers failing to follow these rules may be treated as travelling without ticket, resulting in penalties or removal from the train.
✈️ Travel smart, travel prepared. These simple steps can make your train journey smooth, safe, and stress-free.
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The information provided in this blog post is based on circulars and guidelines issued by Indian Railways as of the time of writing. Rules, policies, and procedures are subject to change by the railway authorities without prior notice. Passengers are advised to verify the latest updates from official Indian Railways sources or consult railway staff before their journey. This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or official advice.
