No new rule on printed unreserved tickets: Railways clarifies

Indian Railways has dismissed reports claiming a rule change, stating that passengers with digital unreserved tickets can continue to show them on their mobile phones, as per existing norms.

Indian Railways on Friday issued a clear clarification, stating that no new instruction has been issued making it compulsory for passengers to carry printed copies of unreserved train tickets. The statement comes after certain media reports suggested a change in rules, leading to confusion among passengers.

In an official clarification, the Railways explained that the existing rules remain unchanged. As per current norms, passengers who have booked unreserved tickets and taken a physical printout, whether the ticket was booked online or offline, must carry that printed ticket during the journey for verification.

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However, the Railways clearly stated that passengers who book unreserved tickets digitally and do not take a printout are allowed to show the ticket on their mobile phone. In such cases, the digital ticket must be displayed on the same mobile device from which the ticket was booked, and it will be considered valid for checking by railway staff.

The clarification stressed that reports claiming a new mandatory requirement for printed tickets are incorrect and misleading. Indian Railways reiterated that no fresh circular or instruction has been issued altering the existing process for unreserved ticket verification.

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Officials emphasised that the purpose of the clarification was to prevent unnecessary panic among travellers and to ensure that passengers clearly understand the distinction between printed and digital tickets under the current system.