Starting June 20,2026,male passengers in ladies' coaches on Indian Railways could get slapped with fines up to Rs 2,500. That's a jump from Rs 500. Aim: boost safety and comfort for women travelers .
The Ministry of Railways made it official with a gazette notification on June 19, 2026. It's part of the Jan Vishwas Act, tweaking the Railways Act, 1989. New rules crack down on unauthorized entry into women's compartments, punishable under Section 162.
Indian Railways offers women-only coaches on many local and passenger trains,including special services in cities like Mumbai,Kolkata,Secunderabad, and Chennai. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) regularly runs operations to keep men out of these spaces.
If a male passenger enters a ladies' compartment or won't leave when asked by railway staff,he risks not just a fine but also losing his ticket. And if he can't pay up,court proceedings could follow, with fines possibly hitting Rs 5,000.
“To avoid penal measures, male passengers should not travel in ladies compartments or ladies special trains . There are alternative compartments or trains available with enough space for male travellers,”Ministry stated in its announcement.
Updated rules make exceptions for transgender individuals, as defined by the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act,2019. A move for inclusivity while keeping women's safety intact.
Indian Railways is getting tougher on penalties as part of a larger push to make travel better for women. Safety and comfort in public transport are big concerns. Will these changes make the difference needed…?
