Child Ticket Rule Alert: Railway to Fine Parents Without Valid Kid’s Ticket

Indian Railways : Indian Railways has recently issued a crucial update that directly affects passengers traveling with children. The new regulation mandates that parents must ensure a valid ticket for every child above a specific age or height threshold. Failing to comply could now result in penalties or fines during ticket inspections. This step is aimed at streamlining railway operations, avoiding misuse of free travel for children, and ensuring fair ticketing practices across the system.

Why Indian Railways Introduced This Rule

Indian Railways had been facing increasing cases where children above the eligible age for free travel were traveling without tickets, causing revenue losses and unfair burden on the system. To address this loophole:

• The railway authority has revised guidelines for children’s ticket booking.
• It has clarified age-based and height-based criteria for availing free or discounted travel.
• Officials will now enforce stricter verification during ticket inspections.

This rule is meant to ensure better fairness and compliance, and to reduce confusion among passengers.

Updated Child Ticket Rules: What Parents Must Know

To avoid being fined, parents or guardians must understand the revised child fare policies. Key points include:

• Children below 5 years of age can travel for free, but no separate seat will be provided.
• Children between 5 and 12 years must have a valid half or full ticket depending on travel class and berth requirement.
• From now, if a child is found to be above the height or age limit and is traveling without a valid ticket, a penalty will be imposed on the spot.

Table 1: Updated Age & Ticket Guidelines for Children

Age of Child	Ticket Requirement	Seat/Berth Allotted	Applicable Fare	Notes
Below 5 years	No ticket required	No separate seat	Free of cost	Must be accompanied by parent
5 – 12 years	Optional ticket	If ticket booked	Half or full fare	Depends on seat/berth requirement
Above 12 years	Mandatory ticket	Yes	Full fare	Treated as adult
Child with seat	Ticket mandatory	Yes	Full fare (from 2016)	Even if under 12 years
Tatkal for child	Not allowed	No	–	Child ticket not permitted in Tatkal
Child without ID	Can be fined	NA	NA	Carry age proof when traveling
Group travel	Child ticket needed	Yes	As per policy	Must book in advance

What Happens If You Don’t Have a Valid Child Ticket

Failure to book a valid child ticket can lead to serious consequences during a journey. TTEs (Travelling Ticket Examiners) have been directed to:

• Conduct random checks for children traveling without tickets.
• Measure the height of the child if necessary to assess eligibility.
• Issue a penalty to the guardian or parent if found violating the rule.
• Charge full fare plus a fine amount on the spot, which may vary depending on the train class and distance.

See more : Lucknow to Dehradun in Just 5 Hours

Table 2: Possible Penalties for Child Ticket Violations

Violation Type	Fine Amount	Additional Fare Charged	Total Penalty Imposed
Child above 5 yrs without a ticket	₹250 – ₹500	Full fare for distance	₹500 – ₹1,000 approx
False declaration of child age	₹500 – ₹1,000	Ticket + penalty	Up to ₹1,500
Dispute during inspection	Variable	At discretion of TTE	May be denied travel
Group travel without declaration	₹500 per child	Fare for each child	Can be up to ₹5,000 total
Refusal to pay fine	Legal action possible	NA	Can result in FIR/lawsuit

Guidelines for Booking Child Tickets Online

With digital booking becoming the norm, parents must now ensure accuracy while entering child details:

• When booking on IRCTC or other platforms, select “Child with Berth” if the child needs a seat.
• Enter the correct Date of Birth to avoid suspicion during checks.
• Keep a soft or hard copy of child’s ID proof (Aadhaar, School ID, etc.).
• If traveling with multiple children, mention each child’s name and age while booking.

Booking platforms also offer fare breakdowns now, showing clearly how much is charged for child tickets.

Key FAQs on Indian Railways Child Ticket Rules

Q1: Is ticket mandatory for all children?

Only children above 5 years of age require a ticket. If they need a seat, a ticket becomes mandatory.

Q2: What happens if I say my child is under 5 but appears older?

TTEs are authorized to verify height and age. If found violating, fines will be imposed.

Q3: Can I get a refund for a child ticket?

Yes, standard refund rules apply if canceled on time, but cancellation charges may apply.

Q4: Will this rule apply on all types of trains?

Yes, the rule is applicable across all Indian Railways services including Mail, Express, Superfast, Rajdhani, Duronto, and Shatabdi.

Q5: What if I book a ticket but forget to carry the child’s ID?

You may be asked for verification. In some cases, penalty may still apply if age proof cannot be provided.

Major Changes vs Previous Rules

Here’s how the new rule compares with earlier practice:

Table 3: Rule Comparison – Then vs Now

Criteria	Previous Practice	Current Rule (2025 Update)
Below 5 years travel	Free travel, no seat	No change
5-12 years with no berth	Optional ticket, half fare	Still valid but now verified strictly
5-12 years with berth	Half ticket	Now charged full fare
Age verification	Rarely enforced	Strictly monitored
Fine for no ticket	Rare	Now officially enforced
Online child booking	Manual option	Mandatory DOB and ID check

The latest Indian Railways child ticket rule is a wake-up call for parents traveling with kids. To avoid fines and hassle during journeys, it is now essential to book child tickets accurately and carry valid ID proof. This move ensures fair travel and streamlined revenue for the railways. As always, staying informed and compliant will make your train journey smoother and stress-free.

The information provided in this article is based on publicly available sources and updates from Indian Railways. Passengers are advised to refer to the official IRCTC portal or railway notice boards for any last-minute changes or clarifications.