Jan Vishwas Act Amends Penalty Provisions Under Sections 137, 138
Revised Penalty Takes Effect From July 1, 2026
Key Points:
- Minimum fine for ticketless travel doubled from Rs 250 to Rs 500
- Changes apply to Sections 137 and 138 of Railways Act, 1989
- Revised penalty comes into force from July 1, 2026
NEW DELHI – The Indian Railways has enhanced the minimum penalty for ticketless and irregular travel from Rs 250 to Rs 500 under the Jan Vishwas Act, 2026. The amendment revises Sections 137 and 138 of the Railways Act, 1989.
Section 137 deals with fraudulent travel without a proper pass or ticket. Under the earlier law, the minimum fine for this offence stood at Rs 250. The amended provision raises this minimum fine to Rs 500.
The maximum punishment under Section 137 remains unchanged, however. Offenders can still face imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to Rs 1,000, or both. The excess charge requirement, comprising the ordinary single fare plus the excess amount, also stays the same.
Section 138 covers cases of travelling without a proper pass or ticket, or travelling beyond the authorised distance. The minimum excess charge, or penalty, under this section has similarly been increased from Rs 250 to Rs 500. Fare liability provisions, which require payment for the distance travelled plus the excess charge, remain unaltered.
The revised minimum penalties will take effect from July 1, 2026, though the date will be notified separately through an official notification. Before this date, existing provisions will continue to apply.
Railway officials said the enhanced penalties are meant to strengthen compliance and improve revenue protection. All Travelling Ticket Examiners, commercial staff, Railway Protection Force personnel and other field staff have been instructed to ensure that cases booked on or after July 1, 2026, are handled according to the revised provisions.
Other provisions under Sections 137 and 138 will remain unchanged unless separately notified, according to the railway communication. Officials clarified that under the new structure, ticketless travel will attract the ordinary fare for the distance covered, an excess charge, and a minimum penalty of Rs 500.
The enhancement is being implemented under the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026, and follows a broader push toward streamlining penalty structures across railway stations and divisions nationwide. The revision marks the first increase in the minimum penalty for these offences since the rates were last fixed at Rs 250.
