Indian Railways Rules: Every Passenger Should Follow

Train travellers must follow the Indian Railway rules. Checking your IRCTC PNR status before the journey helps you know whether your ticket is confirmed, waitlisted, or RAC, ensuring smoother planning. Following the train rules can help avoid fines and make travel more comfortable. Millions of people travel daily on Indian Railways, which requires proper and smooth operation.

Higher footfall requires proper management for smooth daily operations. Therefore, Indian Railways make different rules to reduce the operational challenges. Each passenger needs to be aware of such rules and railway guidelines that can help in smooth travel and avoid unnecessary fines.

If you are a train traveller, then you must be aware of the Indian railways rules. So, keep reading this post to find train rules that can reduce the fine risk and make travel smooth. It also informs the common rules and uncommon rules that can leave you surprised.

Recognise These Indian Railway Rules for Passengers to Avoid Fines

If you are looking to travel by train in upcoming days, then this information is for you. Indian Railways rules for passengers help to make travel easier and reduce travel challenges. So, follow these important rules and stay away from railway fines or refer to RailMitra to find recent updates in Indian Railways. While travelling by Train, you can Order Food on Train for Hassle-free Journey.

Rules for Senior Citizens

Indian Railways ensures that senior citizens are treated well and get the respect they deserve.

Indian Railways offers a lower berth quota for seniors to make travel comfortable.
Lower berths in trains are reserved for the seniors in specific coaches.
Indian railway senior citizen rules allow men over 60 and women over 45 to get a lower berth as a preference on ticket booking.
However, conditions apply, if more than two persons are booked, even if all are senior or any one is non-senior, the railway may not offer the lower berth.
Consulting TTE and requesting can help to secure a lower berth for travel.

Indian Railway Waiting Ticket Rules

It is an important rule that can help when a ticket is not confirmed.

Only confirmed or RAC status passengers are allowed to travel.
Waitlisted PNR status is not allowed to travel; if found travelling will be considered as travelling without a ticket.
Moreover, you must know that if multiple passengers are booked under one PNR, then passengers who get confirmed status are only allowed to travel.
Under the train rules, waitlisted passengers' names will appear in the chart, but they are not allowed to travel.

Break Journey Rules

This rule is unpopular among Indian railway travellers but has high benefits.

Long-distance travellers can break their journey after travelling for at least 500 km, up to two breaks.
It allows you to continue your journey with the gap of two days.
However, you must ensure the ticket endorsement to make it a breaking journey.
It is good for visiting tourist places, visit friends without buying a new ticket.
These Indian railways rules for passengers can make it cost-effective with flexible travelling.

Luggage Rules

Many passengers may not be aware of the railway luggage rules. So, you must be aware of these rules to avoid unexpected penalties while travelling by train. Indian railways recently updated the luggage allowance rules based on class. It includes the following.

Class	Maximum Permitted Quantity in Kg	Free Allowance	Marginal Allowance
Second Class	70	35	10
Sleeper Class	80	40	10
Third AC	40	40	10
Second AC	100	50	10
First AC	150	70	15

You must ensure that free allowance is only permitted without extra charges.
However, crossing the free allowance makes you pay 1.5 times the luggage rate up to the Maximum permitted quantity.
Moreover, luggage weight crossing the maximum permitted quality then weight exceeding the free allowance will be payable 6 times the luggage scale.
You can also check the Indian website to get detailed information on luggage rules.

Boarding Rules

Check the Indian railway boarding rules to avoid penalties and travel with comfort.

According to railway guidelines, boarding stations can change once before 24 hours of scheduled departure.
Changing boarding stations within 24 hours is non-refundable in normal circumstances, but refundable in exceptional circumstances like train cancellation.
If a ticket is seized, a boarding change is not allowed.
Boarding station changes do not apply to the current booking of train tickets..

Middle Berth Rule

Passengers must be aware of the following information regarding the middle berth.

Travellers always avoid the middle berth in trains due to sitting or sleeping challenges.
The middle berth can only be used for sleeping between certain hours at night.
According to Indian Railways, sleeping time in trains is between 10:00 PM and 06:00 AM.
However, passengers can request co-passengers to open during the day.
During daytime the lower berth in the train is used for sitting for middle and lower berth occupants.

Indian Railway Refund Rules

Cancellation and refunds are based on the time before departure. So, check the table below to find the refund for cancellation accordingly.

Hours Before Departure	Deducted Charges
Before 48 Hours	Flat cancellation charges such Second Class: 60 Rs. Sleeper Class: 120 Rs. AC First: 240 Rs.
Between 48 and 12 Hours	Flat 25% or Minimum Flat Charges which one is higher.
Between 12 and 4 Hours (or Chart Preparation that is earlier)	Flat 50% or Minimum Flat Charges which one is higher.
Less than 4 Hours or after chart preparation	No Online Cancellation and refund as per Indian Railway Rules

TTE Rules After 10 PM

TTE must follow certain rules after 10 PM to avoid unnecessary disturbance

Once TTE verifies your ticket, TTE should not disturb you between 10 PM to 6 AM.
TTE has the right to check the tickets of passengers boarding after 10 PM.
TTE must maintain minimal noise to avoid unnecessary disturbance after 10 PM.

Indian Railways Rules that You Must Know to Avoid Common Mistakes

Certain rules should also be considered to avoid common mistakes during train journeys, as follows.

Chain Pulling: It should be done in case of emergency for a valid reason; otherwise punishable by fine or jail.
Laud Sound Rule: Indian Railway ensures restful sleep. So, no loud sound rules are implemented to avoid loud phone calls and music with headphones.
Journey Extension Rules: When extending the train journey, you must pay the difference in fare to the TTE onboard or at the destination to avoid fines.
Indian Railway Pass Rules: Indian Railway governs passes for employees and their families like a duty pass, a privilege pass with some eligibility.

Make Your Train Travel Hassle-free with Railway Guidelines

Following the Indian Railway rules can make your train journey hassle-free. It can reduce your travel stress and help you avoid fines. Along with this, always check the IRCTC Train Running Status to stay updated about delays, cancellations, or platform changes, ensuring a smoother and more convenient travel experience. So, always stay updated with train rules to make a comfortable journey without committing any legal offence.

CONCLUSION

Always follow railway guidelines and rules to avoid unnecessary fines. You must consider certain guidelines or Indian railway boarding rules, waiting, senior citizens, breaking journeys and others. Some rules are highly popular, and some are not, but may cause legal offence. So, always stay updated with the railway rules for passengers and avoid the challenges. Know the Indian Railways cancellation rules to avoid paying more at the end and plan properly.

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