Indian Railways Ticket Rule Change: In the digital era, most daily tasks—from bookings to payments—are now completed on mobile phones, while laptops are used only for more complex work. Railway ticketing has also gone fully digital for millions of passengers. However, under a recent Indian Railways ticket rule change, displaying a ticket only on a mobile screen will no longer be accepted in all cases.
Indian Railways has introduced this rule to strengthen passenger safety and maintain transparency in the ticketing system, especially as cases of fake and manipulated tickets continue to rise.
Why did Indian Railways introduce this New Rule?
Over the past few months, railway authorities have detected several cases of ticket fraud. In many instances, fake unreserved tickets were created using AI tools, enabling passengers to travel illegally. While AI has made many processes easier, its misuse has now become a serious concern for the railways.
Officials believe that if strict action is not taken in time, such fraud could spread rapidly and disrupt the entire ticket verification system.
Which Tickets Are Affected by the New Rule?
According to the updated guidelines, unreserved tickets purchased through UTS apps, ATVM machines, or railway counters will not be considered valid if shown only on a mobile screen. Passengers travelling with these tickets must carry a physical printout or hard copy during the journey.
However, Indian Railways has clarified that reserved tickets, including e-tickets and m-tickets, are not affected by this rule. These tickets can still be shown on mobile phones as before, with no additional requirements.
Jaipur Incident That Triggered the Crackdown
A significant incident from Jaipur reportedly played a key role in tightening the rules. During a routine inspection, several students were found travelling with what appeared to be a valid unreserved ticket displayed on a mobile phone. On closer examination by the Ticket Collector, it was discovered that the ticket had been digitally altered.
Using an AI-based editing tool, the students modified a single unreserved ticket and added the names of seven passengers, allowing multiple people to travel on a single ticket.
Stricter Checks and New Tools for Ticket Examiners
Following this incident, Indian Railways issued alerts to all zones. TTEs and TCs have now been provided with a special verification app. In cases of suspicion, QR codes will be scanned, along with checks of UTS numbers and colour codes, making it easier to identify fake or edited tickets instantly.
Railway officials have reiterated that carrying a hard copy of unreserved tickets is mandatory and that relying solely on a mobile screen may result in penalties or travel disruptions. Authorities have also confirmed that ticket agents and fake ticket sellers will remain under strict surveillance.