Do I need original ID proof on the train?
One passenger must carry the original photo ID whose number was entered at booking. A photo of it is not enough.
What it costs
₹500, plus the fare
Railways Act, 1989, section 137.
Raised from ₹250 + fare on 1 July 2026 under the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026. Most pages still quote the old figure.
The rule
On an e-ticket the ID is what proves the ticket is yours. If nobody in the party can produce the original, the whole ticket can be treated as invalid and every passenger on it charged as travelling without a ticket.
Other rules at this stage
Decisions made here are the ones that cost money later.
Questions
Do I need original ID proof on the train?
One passenger must carry the original photo ID whose number was entered at booking. A photo of it is not enough. On an e-ticket the ID is what proves the ticket is yours. If nobody in the party can produce the original, the whole ticket can be treated as invalid and every passenger on it charged as travelling without a ticket.
What is the fine for this in 2026?
₹500, plus the fare. This rose from ₹250 + fare on 1 July 2026 under the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026.
What do people get wrong about this?
People assume the SMS or the PDF is the ticket. It is not — it is the receipt. The ID is the ticket.
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