The Indian Railways is taking its rules seriously. They want passengers to follow the rules and to ensure that there is no one slipping through the cracks, so they are strengthening their pre-existing
rules and introducing new ones.
Their latest revision for their rules includes cracking down on travellers who might act rowdy, entitled or break the rules while travelling by trains. They have introduced stricter penalties and are enforcing the rules as well, with constant ticket checking and fine collection. In fact, the revenue in the first quarter of the financial year, due to systematic checking, saw record-breaking daily collections, with zones like Central Railway, which includes the busy Mumbai network, raking in over ₹40 crore in a single month.
Smoking in the train
In a gazette notification issued on June 19, the Ministry of Railways stated: “In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026 (8 of 2026), the Central Government hereby appoints the date of publication of this notification as the date on which the provisions of the said Act, in so far as it relates to serial number 52…the Railways Act, 1989 (24 of 1989) respectively, shall come into force.”
Smoking is prohibited in trains and on railway premises under Section 167 of the Railways Act. According to railway authorities, there were several incidents reported in the past which were caused by some travellers who were smoking on the train. Others were even caught transporting inflammable materials.
Under the provisions of the Jan Vishwas Act, 2026, offences covered under Section 167 (3) of the Railways Act now attract a penalty of Rs 2,000. If the offender fails to pay the penalty, they may be produced before the court and could face a fine of up to Rs 5,000 if convicted.
Men travelling in ladies compartment
Another important rule that the Indian Railways has rolled out is the imposition of a penalty of Rs 2,500 on male passengers who are found travelling in coaches or compartments reserved exclusively for women. The move is aimed at addressing long-standing complaints regarding unauthorised entry, eve-teasing, and safety concerns faced by female passengers. Any men seen in a ladies coach without valid permission will be fined ₹2,500 on the spot. In addition to the monetary penalty, repeat offenders may face legal action under relevant sections of the Railways Act, 1989, and could also be debarred from future rail travel for a specified period. The rules apply to all categories of trains, including express, mail, and premium services like Vande Bharat, Rajdhani, and Shatabdi.
Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Ticket Checking Staff (TTEs) have been instructed to conduct frequent checks, especially during night journeys and peak hours. Special emphasis has been placed on ladies coaches in long-distance trains where women often travel alone. Clear signage and announcements at stations and inside trains will inform passengers about the new regulation.
A senior Railway Ministry official said, “Women passengers have repeatedly raised concerns about men entering reserved coaches, causing discomfort and compromising their safety. This strict penalty is a strong deterrent. We want every woman to travel with dignity and confidence.”
For those caught hawking and begging
Hawkers and beggars are a common sight if you travel by trains. However, now, the railways ministry is cracking down on their presence as well. The unauthorised hawking and vending in the passenger area is prohibited. It is an offence punishable under Section 144 of Railways Act, 1989. Any person indulging in these activities can get a punishment of no less than three months of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 2,000.
If they fail or refuse to pay, they can be taken to court and can be punished with imprisonment for a term of three months, or fined upto Rs 5,000, or both.
