6 Indian Railway Rules Every Passenger Should Know

Millions of passengers across India travel using the Indian Railways. But, did you know there are various rules set up by the railway department to ensure a hassle-free experience while travelling? 

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We bring you some of the lesser-known rules by the Indian Railways.

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Refund on Tatkal tickets 

Many passengers are unaware that tatkal tickets can get refunded too. If the train is delayed for over 3 hours, or there is a change of route, passengers can rightfully claim their refund. 

Rule of two stops 


If a passenger misses boarding the train from the designated boarding station, the ticket collector cannot give their seat to anybody else for at least one hour or until the train passes the next two stops. This allows the passenger to board the train from any of the next two stops. 

Sleeping hours for middle-berth occupant 

 

According to the rule, no occupant can occupy the middle berth beyond the sleeping hours i.e., between 10 pm and 6 am.

Extending the journey 

 

Due to unavailability of tickets, many passengers book tickets to an earlier station than their original stop. In such instances, passengers can inform the TTE before reaching the destination station and extend their journey. TTE collects the extra fare and issues a ticket for further journey. 

TTE cannot disturb the passengers after 10 o’clock

According to Railway guidelines, TTEs should complete the verification of tickets of passengers before 10 pm.

Refund for short terminated trains 

If a train journey is not completed because of problems en-route and the Railways is unable to make alternate arrangements, then the full fare for the booked journey is refunded. In case the Railways is ready with a backup arrangement but the passenger is not willing to avail it, then the fare for the travelled portion will be retained and the remaining balance will be refunded after the ticket is surrendered.