What are the penalties for travelling without ticket on trains?

What the Law Says

The Indian Railways Act, 1989 governs offences related to railway travel, including travelling without a valid ticket. Section 138 specifically addresses this offence and prescribes penalties.

Under Section 138 of the Indian Railways Act, 1989, any person who travels in a train without a valid ticket — or with a ticket not valid for the class of carriage or distance travelled — commits an offence.

The law mandates that such a person must pay a penalty in addition to the fare. The penalty cannot be less than ₹250 and may extend up to ₹1,000. In addition, the offender may be punished with imprisonment for up to six months, or with fine, or with both.

This applies to all passengers — including those who board without reservation, misuse concession tickets, or travel beyond their booked destination without paying the excess fare.

Statutory Text

Whoever travels in a train without a valid ticket or with a ticket not valid for the class of carriage or for the distance travelled shall be liable to pay a penalty not less than two hundred and fifty rupees and which may extend to one thousand rupees, in addition to the fare.

— Indian Railways Act, 1989, s. 138 — Penalty for travelling without ticket

Statutory Text

Any person guilty of an offence under this section shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.

— Indian Railways Act, 1989, s. 138 — Penalty for travelling without ticket

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