Indian Railways will fine you Rs 1,000 if you do this inside a train or at a station; refuse to pay and you could face a Rs 2,000 fine

Think twice before tossing that snack wrapper on a railway platform or leaving rubbish inside a train coach. Indian Railways has increased the penalty for activities that affect cleanliness on railway premises, with passengers and others now facing a Rs 1,000 penalty for violating the rules.

The change comes through the Indian Railways (Penalties for Activities Affecting Cleanliness at Railway Premises) Amendment Rules, 2026, notified by the Ministry of Railways in the Official Gazette on August 24.

According to The Indian Express, the revised rules increase the earlier maximum penalty of Rs 500 to Rs 1,000.

What are the new Indian Railways cleanliness rules 2026?

The amendment replaces the earlier provision under Rule 4 of the Indian Railways (Penalties for Activities Affecting Cleanliness at Railway Premises) Rules, 2012.

Under the revised provision, a person violating the specified cleanliness rules is liable to pay a Rs 1,000 penalty.

If the penalty is not paid, the person can be produced before a competent court having jurisdiction. The court may impose a fine of up to Rs 2,000.

The amended rules came into force from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.

Rs 1,000 fine for littering at railway stations and trains

One of the key restrictions covers littering.

Passengers and other people on railway premises are prohibited from throwing or leaving waste at stations, elsewhere on railway premises or inside train coaches, except in places specifically designated for disposing of waste.

So, that empty food packet, plastic cup or bottle left under a train seat could potentially result in a penalty.

Which activities can attract a railway cleanliness penalty?

The rules cover more than simply throwing rubbish around.

Activities prohibited on railway premises, unless suitable facilities have been specifically provided, include:

• Throwing or leaving litter
• Cooking
• Bathing
• Spitting
• Urinating
• Defecating
• Feeding animals or birds
• Washing vehicles
• Washing utensils or clothes
• Storing articles or materials

The rules are aimed at preventing activities that can affect cleanliness and hygiene across railway premises.

Writing on train coaches can also land you in trouble

The amended cleanliness rules also cover the defacement of railway property.

Passengers and others cannot put up posters or write or draw on train coaches or other railway property without permission.

Any activity that damages or defaces railway property is prohibited under the rules.

In other words, railway coaches are not exactly the place for an impromptu autograph session with a permanent marker.

What are railway vendors and hawkers required to do?

The rules also place cleanliness responsibilities on authorised vendors and hawkers operating on railway premises.

They are required to keep dustbins or suitable waste containers to collect litter and ensure that the waste is disposed of properly.

This means the responsibility for keeping railway premises clean does not rest solely with passengers. Those providing food and other services at stations and on trains also have specified responsibilities for waste management.

Who can collect the Rs 1,000 railway penalty?

The rules specify which railway officials are authorised to enforce the cleanliness provisions and collect penalties.

These include:

• Station Masters or Station Managers
• Ticket Collectors from the Commercial Department
• Officials of an equivalent rank in the Operating Department
• Other officials specifically authorised by the Railway Administration to enforce the rules

Passengers should therefore be aware that authorised railway officials can take action when cleanliness rules are violated.

Why has Indian Railways increased the cleanliness fine?

The increase from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 effectively doubles the earlier maximum penalty specified under the rules.

The move is intended to strengthen enforcement of cleanliness standards across railway stations, trains and other railway premises, while discouraging passengers and others from activities that create litter or unhygienic conditions.

With millions of passengers using India's railway network, even seemingly small acts of littering can add up quickly.

What happens if you refuse to pay the penalty?

The revised rules make the consequence of non-payment clear.

If a person fails to pay the Rs 1,000 penalty, they may be produced before a competent court with jurisdiction over the matter. The court can then impose a fine of up to Rs 2,000.

So, under the new rules, refusing to pay the penalty does not simply make the matter disappear.


Inputs from agencies