Railways clarifies unreserved ticket rule, says screenshots cannot be used for travel

Indian Railways unreserved ticket rules: Indian Railways (IR) has clarified that screenshots of unreserved tickets are not accepted as valid proof of travel. In a statement, the national transporter said digital ticket bookings have become popular among rail passengers.

However, it cautioned that a lack of awareness about digital ticketing rules could result in inconvenience and penalties during the journey. According to Saurabh Jain, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (Sr DCM) of West Central Railway's Kota Division, an unreserved ticket booked via the RailOne app is valid only on the specific mobile phone where the app is registered and from which the ticket was booked.

He added that A screenshot of a ticket booked by another person on their mobile – sent via WhatsApp or other means – is not considered valid travel authority. "Passengers should book tickets themselves using their registered mobile phones and carry that same phone with them during the journey," Jain said.

The railway official also stated that valid ticket must be obtained before commencing the journey. He added that a passenger cannot board a train without a ticket and then generate an unreserved ticket on the mobile phone after noticing ticket-checking staff.

Similarly, obtaining a ticket through someone else's mobile phone and carrying its screenshot does not meet the prescribed digital ticketing requirements, Jain said. "To display the digital ticket, the mobile phone must be switched on and sufficiently charged," the official said.

According to Railways, passengers using the RailOne app should keep the following points in mind: The railway official further said that the minimum penalty for travelling without a proper ticket or with an irregular ticket has been increased from Rs 250 to Rs 500 w.e.f June 19, 2026.

Anish Mondal is a journalist with over nine years of experience covering the railways and roadways. Currently a member of the Indianexpress.com editorial team, Anish specializes in high-impact sectors. Professional Journey Anish began his career at the public broadcaster Rajya Sabha Television (now Sansad TV), where he developed a foundational understanding of legislative processes and national governance.

In 2018, he transitioned to digital financial journalism at FinancialExpress.com, spending nearly six years refining his expertise in market trends and corporate reporting. Before joining The Indian Express in 2025, he served as a key contributor at ETNowNews.com.

Education & Expertise Anish’s reporting is backed by a rigorous academic background in communication and the humanities: Master of Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC) – Apeejay Stya University Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Production (PGTVRJP) – Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication Bachelor of Arts (English Honours) – University of Calcutta Areas of Coverage Connectivity: Detailed reporting on the expansion of Indian Railways and National Highway networks.

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