Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Indian Railways Doubles Cleanliness Penalty to Rs 1,000
Indian Railways has made the fine for certain cleanliness violations higher.
People can now be charged up to Rs 1,000 for littering or doing other prohibited activities at stations, on trains or elsewhere on railway property.
The previous maximum penalty was Rs 500.
People are also not allowed to cook, bathe, spit, urinate, defecate, feed animals or wash items unless proper facilities are provided.
Writing on coaches or damaging railway property is also prohibited.
Authorised vendors and hawkers must provide containers for waste and dispose of it properly.
If someone does not pay the penalty, they may be taken to a competent court.
The court may impose a fine of up to Rs 2,000.
Indian Railways has raised the maximum cleanliness-violation penalty from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000.
The Ministry of Railways announced the amendment in a gazette notification dated August 24, 2026.
Non-payment can lead to production before a competent court, which may impose a fine of up to Rs 2,000.
Prohibited activities include littering, cooking, bathing, spitting, urinating, defecating, washing items and defacing railway property.
Station Masters, Station Managers, eligible Ticket Collectors and authorised railway officials may collect the penalty.
- Who
- Passengers, other people using railway premises, authorised vendors and hawkers are subject to the rules; designated railway officials can collect penalties.
- What
- The maximum penalty for activities affecting cleanliness at railway premises has increased to Rs 1,000.
- When
- The amendment was notified on August 24, 2026, and takes effect upon publication in the Official Gazette.
- Where
- The rules apply at railway stations, on railway premises and inside train coaches.
- Why
- The change is intended to discourage littering, unhygienic activities and damage to railway property.
- New maximum penalty
- Rs 1,000
- Previous maximum penalty
- Rs 500
- Possible court fine
- Up to Rs 2,000 if the penalty is not paid
- Amended rules
- Indian Railways (Penalties for Activities Affecting Cleanliness at Railway Premises) Amendment Rules, 2026
- Notification authority
- Ministry of Railways
- Officials authorised to collect
- Station Masters or Station Managers, Commercial Department Ticket Collectors, equivalent Operating Department officials and other authorised railway officials
- Covered locations
- Railway stations, railway premises and train coaches
