Indian Railways Passenger Rules 2026: Travelling by train is an important part of everyday life for millions of Indians. While passengers often use smartphones to listen to music, watch videos or browse social media during their journeys, playing audio at a high volume can disturb fellow travellers. Indian Railways has guidelines aimed at maintaining discipline and ensuring a comfortable travelling experience for everyone.

Southern Railway has reportedly reiterated instructions asking passengers to avoid unnecessary noise inside train coaches. Travellers who repeatedly disturb others through loud music, mobile phone speakers or disruptive behaviour could face action under applicable railway regulations.

The advisory is particularly relevant to passengers travelling overnight, when many people expect a peaceful environment to rest or sleep.

Here is a detailed explanation of the reported guidelines, possible penalties and precautions passengers should follow.

Indian Railways Warns Passengers Against Playing Loud Music

Listening to songs, watching movies and scrolling through short videos have become common activities during train journeys. However, using a smartphone's loudspeaker without considering nearby passengers can create inconvenience in shared compartments.

According to the report, Southern Railway has reminded travellers to keep audio volumes under control and avoid disturbing others.

Passengers are encouraged to use earphones or headphones when enjoying entertainment on their devices.

The objective is not to prevent travellers from using smartphones but to ensure that personal entertainment does not interfere with the comfort of others.

The instructions apply particularly to situations where loud audio causes repeated disturbances or leads to complaints from fellow passengers.

Can Playing Loud Music on a Train Lead to a ₹1,000 Fine?

The report refers to the possibility of penalties of up to ₹1,000 for passengers who create disturbances during railway journeys.

However, it is important to understand that there is no established automatic ₹1,000 fine simply for using a mobile phone or listening to music on a train.

Any penalty must be supported by the relevant legal provision and the circumstances of the incident.

Railway authorities may take action when a passenger's behaviour amounts to a legally recognised nuisance, disorderly conduct or another violation.

Therefore, passengers should distinguish between ordinary smartphone use and behaviour that creates a serious disturbance.

The exact legal basis for the reported ₹1,000 penalty has not been established in the supplied report.

What Does Section 145 of the Railways Act Say?

Section 145 of the Railways Act, 1989, addresses drunkenness and nuisance in railway carriages and on railway premises.

The provision covers certain forms of misconduct, including intoxication, nuisance, abusive or obscene language, and behaviour that interferes with the comfort of passengers.

Under the statutory provision, punishment can include removal from railway premises and criminal penalties where the legal requirements are met.

For a first conviction, the provision specifies imprisonment of up to six months or a fine of up to ₹500, or both. For a subsequent conviction, the fine may extend to ₹1,000, with other statutory conditions applying.

This distinction is important because the supplied report mentions a ₹5,000 fine, which should not be presented as the standard penalty under Section 145 without identifying another applicable legal provision.

Simply playing audio on a smartphone does not automatically mean that a passenger has committed an offence punishable by imprisonment.

Enforcement depends on the actual conduct, relevant law and circumstances of the case.

Five Important Guidelines for Mobile Phone Users During Train Journeys

Southern Railway's reported awareness initiative highlights several practical measures that can help passengers avoid unnecessary disturbances.

1. Use Earphones When Watching Videos or Listening to Music

Passengers should avoid playing songs, movies or social media videos through loudspeakers when travelling in shared coaches.

Using headphones or earphones allows individuals to enjoy entertainment without forcing other passengers to listen.

2. Avoid Loud Phone Conversations

Speaking loudly during calls can disturb nearby travellers, especially in crowded compartments.

Passengers should maintain a reasonable speaking volume and avoid lengthy conversations that inconvenience others.

3. Keep Mobile Phones on Silent or Vibration Mode

Repeated loud ringtones and notification sounds can interrupt passengers who are resting.

Switching to silent or vibration mode is a simple way to reduce unnecessary noise during a journey.

4. Maintain Silence During Night Travel

Night-time journeys require additional consideration because many passengers are sleeping.

Travellers should avoid loud conversations, entertainment audio and other unnecessary disturbances during rest hours.

5. Respect Fellow Passengers' Comfort

Train coaches are shared public spaces, and everyone has a responsibility to behave considerately.

If another passenger politely requests a reduction in volume, cooperating can help prevent disagreements and complaints.

Why Has Southern Railway Highlighted These Instructions?

According to the report, Southern Railway has observed that loud audio from mobile phones can affect passengers who wish to relax during their journeys.

The problem may become particularly noticeable in air-conditioned coaches and sleeper compartments, where travellers often expect a quieter environment.

Even a short video played repeatedly at a high volume can become frustrating for people sitting nearby.

The reported instructions are intended to encourage responsible behaviour and reduce avoidable disputes between passengers.

Railway authorities may also use announcements and notices to remind travellers about appropriate conduct.

Awareness Announcements May Be Made in Multiple Languages

To communicate the guidelines to a wider audience, the report says railway authorities have proposed or instructed announcements through public address systems.

These announcements may be delivered in Hindi, English and regional languages so that passengers can understand the advisory.

Notices may also be displayed at railway stations and inside trains.

The awareness initiative aims to encourage voluntary compliance rather than relying exclusively on penalties.

Clear communication can help passengers understand that maintaining a peaceful environment is a shared responsibility.

What Should You Do If Someone Plays Loud Music in Your Coach?

Passengers who experience repeated disturbances should first consider requesting the person to lower the volume politely, provided it is safe to do so.

If the behaviour continues or becomes confrontational, they can seek assistance from authorised railway staff.

Complaints can also be submitted through RailMadad, Indian Railways' passenger grievance platform, or the railway helpline 139.

When reporting an incident, passengers should provide relevant information such as the train number, coach details and nature of the disturbance.

Railway personnel can then assess the complaint and take appropriate action.

Does the Rule Apply to All Indian Railway Passengers?

The legal provisions governing nuisance and disorderly behaviour apply according to their statutory scope, while operational advisories may be issued by individual railway zones.

The reported Southern Railway instructions reinforce the broader expectation that passengers should avoid disturbing others during travel.

However, the available report does not establish that Indian Railways has introduced a new nationwide fixed fine specifically for playing music through a smartphone.

Passengers should therefore treat the advisory as guidance on responsible conduct rather than assume that every instance of loud audio automatically attracts a predetermined penalty.

Final Word

Indian Railways passengers should be mindful of how they use smartphones during journeys, particularly when travelling in sleeper and air-conditioned coaches.

Playing music or videos at excessive volume, engaging in loud conversations and creating unnecessary disturbances can affect the comfort of fellow travellers.

Southern Railway's reported advisory encourages passengers to use earphones, keep phones on silent mode and respect the needs of others.

Although serious nuisance or disorderly conduct can attract penalties under railway law, ordinary smartphone use is not prohibited.

Following basic travel etiquette can help passengers avoid complaints and contribute to a more comfortable journey for everyone.

Editorial note: The source article refers to a ₹1,000 penalty and a ₹5,000 fine under Section 145. The distinction between first and subsequent convictions has been clarified above, and the ₹5,000 figure has not been treated as a verified Section 145 penalty. The specific Southern Railway advisory has not been independently verified.