INDIAN RAILWAYS NEW BEGINS ON JULY 1 ST 2026 .

* Ticketless Travel = Double the Fine

Minimum penalty raised: ₹250 → ₹500 for travelling without a ticket

Effective date: June 20, 2026

What you pay: Fare for the distance + excess charge of ₹500 minimum

If you refuse to pay: Court case possible. Punishment up to 6 months jail, fine up to ₹1,000, or both. 

 * Male Passengers in Ladies Coach = ₹2,500 Spot Fine

Effective: July 1, 2026

Penalty: ₹2,500 on the spot if any male enters a coach reserved for women without lawful excuse

Repeat offenders: Legal action under Railways Act 1989, may be debarred from future travel

If unpaid: Produced before court, fine up to ₹5,000

Applies to: All trains including Vande Bharat, Rajdhani, Shatabdi

RPF + TTEs doing frequent checks, especially at night. 

* Other Revised Penalties

Smoking on trains/premises: ₹200 → ₹2,000

Begging: ₹2,000

Unauthorised entry into stations: Up to ₹5,000, was ₹1,000

Drunkenness/nuisance: ₹1,000 + community service

Illegal hawking/vending: ₹2,000

Obstructing railway staff: ₹2,500

Carrying dangerous/offensive goods: ₹10,000 . 

* New Cancellation & Refund Rules for Confirmed Tickets

Effective April 1, 2026:

>72 hrs before departure: Full refund, only flat cancellation fee

72 to 24 hrs: 25% of fare deducted

24 to 8 hrs: 50% of fare deducted

<8 hrs: No refund. 

Old windows were 48h/12h/4h. The no-refund window doubled from 4 to 8 hours. Tatkal confirmed tickets still have no refund. 

* Other Key Changes

Waiting List tickets: Cannot board reserved coaches anymore, even if booked offline. Only unreserved coaches allowed

Advance booking window: Reduced from 120 days to 60 days before departure

Baggage limits: 70 kg for 1AC, 50 kg for 2AC, 40 kg for Sleeper, 35 kg for Second Class .