‘One ticket, One original ID card’: Railways warn of penalty as special checking drive begins today

He said that when a ticket is booked for multiple passengers, at least one passenger listed on the ticket must carry the prescribed original identity proof. “In the absence of the required original proof, all the passengers travelling on the ticket will be treated as travelling without a valid ticket, as per the applicable rules,” he added.

Special checks on Concession and Quota train tickets

The railway official further said that ticket-checking staff will also verify the original documents required for passengers travelling under specified concessions or reservation quotas.

He said that the passengers travelling with an E-Pass or PTO must also carry the prescribed original identity proof and ensure that E-Pass/PTO has been duly exchanged for the prescribed authority to travel before undertaking the journey.

Special attention on unreserved train tickets

The zonal railway said that special attention will be given to verifying the genuineness of unreserved train tickets. Ticket-checking staff may use the TTE App wherever required to authenticate and verify tickets during the special checking drive.

Why is Railways conducting the special checking drive?

According to Central Railway, the intensive checking drive is aimed at:

• Curbing misuse of reservation facilities
• Preventing fraudulent use of concessions and passes
• Checking the authenticity of tickets
• Plugging leakage of railway revenue

What documents passengers should carry for train travel

According to Indian Railways, the following documents are valid for travelling on train:

• Voter Photo identity card issued by Election Commission of India.
• Passport.
• PAN Card issued by Income Tax Department.
• Driving Licence issued by RTO.
• Photo identity card having serial number issued by Central/State Government.
• Student Identity Card with photograph issued by recognized School/ College for their students.
• Nationalised Bank Passbook with photograph.
• Credit Cards issued by Banks with laminated photograph.
• Unique Identification Card “Aadhaar”

Indian Railways doubles ticketless travel fine

Indian Railways has increased the penalty for passengers travelling without a valid train ticket. In a statement, the national transporter announced that under the provisions of the Jan Vishwas Act, 2026, the minimum penalty under Sections 137 and 138 of the Railway Act, 1989, has been increased to Rs 500 with effect from June 20, 2026.

“As per the provisions of the Jan Vishwas Act, 2026, the minimum penalty under Sections 137 & 138 of the Railway Act, 1989 has been increased from Rs 250 to Rs 500 with effect from 20 June 2026. Passengers are requested to travel with a valid ticket and follow railway rules to avoid penalties,” it said.