Central Railway, in its unwavering commitment to provide a safe, smooth and comfortable travel experience to its valued passengers, has intensified its measures to curb unauthorised and ticketless travel across
its network.
Through intensified and systematic ticket checking drives, Central Railway has achieved significant results during the financial year 2025-26 (April to December 2025)
Financial Year FY 2025-26
Central Railway's dedicated ticket checking teams apprehended 30.75 lakh passengers travelling without ticket, with improper or invalid travel authority during FY 2025-26 (April to December 2025), as against 28.01 lakh passengers during the corresponding period last FY which is an increase of almost 10%.
A record amount of Rs.183.16 crores was realised as penalty during FY 2025-26 (April to December 2025), as against an amount of Rs.151.99 crores realised during the corresponding period last FY which is an increase of more than 20 %.
During the month of December- 2025*, Central Railway’s ticket checking teams have apprehended 3.24 lakh passengers travelling without ticket, with improper or invalid travel authority as against 2.93 lakh passengers in December- 2024 indicating an increase of more than 10%
A sum of Rs.18.25 crores have been realised as penalty from the offenders in the month of December- 2025 as against Rs.13.55 crores in December -2024, indicating an increase of almost 35%.
Division wise details for the FY-2025-26* (April to December- 2025) of passengers caught travelling without ticket / valid ticket and penalty amount realised from them are as follows:
· Bhusaval division Rs.63.83 crores from 7.54 lakh cases,
· Mumbai division Rs.55.12 crores from 12.82 lakh cases,
· Pune division Rs.20.84 crores from 3.41 lakh cases
· Nagpur division Rs.20.75 crores from 3.33 lakh cases
· Solapur division Rs.8.39 crores from 1.81 lakh cases and
· Headquarters Rs.14.22 crores from 1.83 lakh cases
Central Railway adopts a multi-pronged strategy to detect unauthorised travel which includes station checks, ambush checks, fortress checks, intensive checks, and mega ticket checking drives. These operations are conducted across Mail/Express trains, Passenger trains, Special trains in all divisions as well as Suburban trains in Mumbai and Pune divisions.
Central Railway appeals to passengers to please travel with valid tickets issued by authorised vendors or from railway station booking counters or through ATVM or through website http://www.irctc.co.in.
Passengers can also download the Rail One app on their mobile phones and book tickets through Rail One app.
Central Railway also appeals to passengers to NOT USE fraudulent means to generate / obtain fake tickets and travel on the same. The Offence is punishable under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act 2023 with fine and imprisonment upto 7 years or both.
The Railway reiterates its zero-tolerance policy towards ticketless travel and remains committed to ensuring that passengers enjoy a comfortable and dignified journey.
