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

Indian Railways has made it clear that screenshots of unreserved tickets cannot be used as valid proof of travel. The national transporter issued a statement advising passengers that digital ticket bookings are common among rail users. However, they warned that confusion about digital ticketing rules could lead to inconveniences and penalties during the trip.

Saurabh Jain, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of West Central Railway's Kota Division, explained that an unreserved ticket booked through the RailOne app is only valid on the specific mobile phone registered for that booking and from which the ticket was purchased. He emphasized that a screenshot of a ticket taken by someone else on their phone and sent via WhatsApp or other methods is not considered a valid travel authorization.

Jain advised passengers to book tickets themselves using their registered mobile phones and carry that same device on their journey. He stressed that a valid ticket must be obtained before boarding a train, and a passenger cannot board without a ticket and subsequently generate an unreserved ticket through their mobile phone. Additionally, carrying a screenshot of a ticket obtained from someone else's phone does not comply with digital ticketing requirements.

To display a digital ticket, the mobile phone must be on and sufficiently charged. The official also highlighted that passengers using the RailOne app should remember to obtain a valid ticket before starting their journey, book unreserved tickets using only their registered mobile phone, and ensure the ticket is available on the same phone used for booking.

A ticket or its screenshot received through WhatsApp is not considered valid travel authority. The minimum penalty for traveling without a proper ticket or with an irregular ticket has been raised from Rs 250 to Rs 500 as of June 19, 2026.