Indian Railways will intensify its ticket-checking drive from October 1 to October 31, 2026, with special checks on ticket validity and passenger eligibility. The month-long drive by Central Railway comes ahead of the festive season and will focus on concession tickets, specified reservation quotas, railway passes and other categories requiring eligibility verification.
Passengers travelling on concession or specified quota tickets must carry the prescribed original identity proof. Railway officials will verify these documents along with the ticket. Passengers using E-Passes or PTOs must also carry the required original ID and ensure that the pass has been properly exchanged for the prescribed travel authority before boarding.
For tickets booked for multiple passengers, at least one passenger listed on the ticket must carry the prescribed original identity proof. If no passenger can produce the required document, the entire group may be treated as travelling without a valid ticket under applicable railway rules.
The checking drive also comes after Indian Railways increased the minimum penalty for ticketless travel from ₹250 to ₹500 from June 20, 2026, under amendments introduced through the Jan Vishwas Act. Passengers are advised to carry valid tickets and required documents to avoid penalties during the intensified checks.
