5 Indian Railway Rules & Regulation You Need to Know | IRCTC Travel Guidelines

For the millions of passengers who travel on Indian Railways every day, safety, effectiveness, and convenience depend heavily on guidelines. Because of the size and variety of the railway network's users, it is important to have clear rules and regulations in place to keep things in order and reduce risks. 

Refund policies, booking procedures, items that are prohibited, and travel etiquette are all critical for managing the intricate logistics of train travel, preventing mishaps, and guaranteeing equitable access to services. 

Furthermore, revised policies are essential for adjusting to new difficulties and guaranteeing the safety of travellers, particularly in reaction to circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Passengers make the travel environment safer and more organised by following these rules.

Also read: Making India's Infrastructure Better: The New Railway Land Leasing Rules

5 Essential Indian Railways Rules That A Passenger Must Know

The 5 essential rules that the Indian Railways require any passenger to follow are:

1. IRCTC Refund Policies: It's critical to comprehend IRCTC's refund policies to prevent losing money on canceled trips. 

• The amount of the refund for a confirmed ticket cancellation depends on how early you cancel before the train leaves. A fixed cancellation fee based on the class of travel is subtracted for cancellations made more than 48 hours in advance; fees rise as the departure time gets closer.

• Tatkal tickets are normally non-refundable, except for certain circumstances such as Indian Railways train cancellations, delays exceeding three hours, or route modifications that result in the traveller missing their boarding station.

• While I-tickets need to be visited in person at a railway booking counter for cancellation and refund claims, e-tickets can be cancelled automatically through the IRCTC website. Indian Railways also permits partial cancellations, meaning that you can cancel a portion of a round trip, and they will reimburse you if you request a refund within the allotted time. However, there is no reimbursement if you are careless and miss your train. If proof is presented, the station master may decide to grant a partial refund in an emergency.

1. Prohibited Items: 

• Passengers are prohibited from talking on the phone at a high volume or listening to music loudly without the aid of headphones. These are in correlation with rules relating to sleeping at night. 

• Prohibited items that should not be carried on a train include a stove, a gas cylinder, any kind of inflammable chemical, firecrackers, acid, smelly items, leather, oil, and grease. If any passenger is seen carrying such items, they can be charged under Section 164 of the Railway Act.

• Apart from the yellow night light, no other big light can be turned on after 10:00 p.m.

1. Ticket Inspection: 

• The Travelling Ticket Examiners (TTE) cannot check the tickets of the passengers after 10:00 a.m. Along with the TTE, the catering staff and other railway personnel are also not allowed to be present after 10:00 p.m.

• If a passenger does not have a reservation ticket, they have the liberty to travel by using a platform ticket. All you have to do is contact the TTE and inform them of your destination, and you’re then free to travel to your desired destination. 

1. Booking Rules: All passengers must read and understand the booking rules regarding,

• Advance bookings wherein the window opens 120 days before the reservation.

• Tatkal bookings wherein the window opens a day before at 10 a.m.

• Both, Electronic tickets and physical tickets (I-tickets) work.

• Group bookings

• Booking for specially-abled individuals where concessions are provided.

1. Travel Guidelines: Passengers must ensure to check-in timely, carry permissible luggage only; the limit for carrying luggage is 70 kg for First AC, 50 kg for Second AC, 40 kg for Third AC and Sleeper Class., board the train with etiquette, and many other practices.

Read more: Railway Cloakroom Rules & Charges : Depositing Your Luggage For A Hassle-Free Travel

Conclusion

By adhering to these rules and regulations, passengers can contribute to a smoother and more enjoyable journey. Remember, a little awareness goes a long way in ensuring a pleasant experience aboard the vast network of Indian Railways.

For further information regarding train rules, visit Indian Railways today. Readers can also call 14646 or 139 for more information.

For updates on the latest rules and regulations, visit Jaagruk Bharat. In case you’ve any queries, you can visit our community page wherein you’ll be able post your query online and get it resolved within some time.