Checking of tickets during Night Time in Reserved Coaches – New Rules in Railway
Checking of tickets during Night Time in Reserved Coaches – New Rules in Railway
Government of India (Bharat Sarkar)
Ministry of Railways (Rail Mantralaya)
(Railway Board)
No. 2010/TG-V/72/P/0 1
New Delhi, dated, 27.01.2025
Chief Commercial Managers,
All Zonal Railways.
(Commercial Circular No. 11 of 2025)
Sub: Checking of tickets during Night Time in Reserved Coaches.
Please refer to this office letter of even No. dated 25.08.2010(Commercial Circular No. 78 of 2025) on the subject quoted above. The matter has been reviewed and the modified instructions on this account are as under:-
I. Checking staff should be suitably instructed that tickets in reserved coaches should normally be checked between 0600 hours and 2200 hours.
II. In case of reserved passengers tickets should be checked initially after passengers board the trains to begin their journey.
III. Bonafide reserved passengers whose tickets have already been examined and verified should not be disturbed between 2200 hours and 0600 hours without a valid reason. However, since the overall responsibility of not permitting any unauthorised passenger in the coach lies with the ticket checking staff, if any unauthorised passenger is found in the coach, this provision cannot be taken as a plea for the same.
IV. Checks can also be made between 2200 hours and 0600 hours in the following circumstances:-
a) In case where train departs from originating station on or after 2200 hours; .
b) the passengers who .have to perform their journey between 2200 hours and 0600 hours;
c) where tickets have not been checked after boarding.
However, care should be taken by the ticket checking staff that the passengers are not be unduly disturbed during the night time.
V. Reserved coaches can also be checked between 2200 hours and 0600 hours in case Vigilance Department have any doubt/have sourced information about some suspicious activity/unauthorized carrying of passengers. It may, however, be ensured that it should be done with the least inconvenience to the passengers.
2. It is also clarified that in the year 2010 the last circular No. issued was 66 and the No. 78 to the Circular referred to above was given inadvertently . and was not uploaded on the website. However, this circular has been uploaded on the website with the remarks that no circular between 67 and 77 were issued in 2010.
sd/-
(Vikram Singh)
Director Passenger Marketing
Railway Board
Click here To Download the Original Order
Source : http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/
Here are the updated rules for ticket checks during nighttime in reserved coaches as per Indian Railways:
Contents
Railway Board Guidelines (Commercial Circular No. 11 of 2025)
Issued on 27 January 2025, the Railway Board clarified the procedure for ticket checking in reserved coaches at night (between 2200 hrs and 0600 hrs):
- Normal Inspection Window
- Ticket checks in reserved coaches should ideally occur between 06:00 and 22:00 hrs.
- Initial Boarding Check
- Passengers’ tickets must be verified when they first board the train.
- Reduced Night-Time Checks
- Once verified, bonafide reserved passengers should not be disturbed between 22:00 and 06:00 hrs, unless there’s a compelling reason (e.g., checking for unauthorized travelers).
- Exceptions Allowing Night Checks
Night checks are permissible during the following situations:- If the train starts on or after 22:00 hrs.
- If the journey itself occurs between 22:00 and 06:00 hrs.
- If initial boarding checks weren’t done.
- If there’s suspicion of unauthorized passengers, and Vigilance departments flag a need.
- Passenger Comfort Is Important
- Though required in certain cases, efforts should be made to minimize disturbance to sleeping passengers.
Summary: Night Ticket Checking Rules
| Time Period | Action Allowed? | Conditions / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 06:00 – 22:00 | Yes | Standard ticket checking period |
| After 22:00 – Before 06:00 | Generally No (if already checked) | Night checks permissible under specific conditions |
| Boarding after 22:00 | Yes | Initial ticket check required |
| Suspicious / No prior check | Yes | Allowed with care and only if needed |
These provisions strike a balance between enforcing ticket compliance and ensuring passengers aren’t unnecessarily disturbed during the night. Need help applying this to specific journeys or understanding TTE protocols? Just let me know!