What happens if I understate my child's age?
A child's age is taken on the date of journey, and understating it to avoid a fare is treated as travelling without a ticket.
What it costs
₹500, plus the fare
Railways Act, 1989, section 137.
The rule
Under 5 travels free without a berth. From 5 to 11 it is half fare without a berth or full fare with one. From 12 it is an adult ticket. A child who turns 5 or 12 between booking and travelling is judged by the travel date.
Other rules at this stage
Decisions made here are the ones that cost money later.
Questions
What happens if I understate my child's age?
A child's age is taken on the date of journey, and understating it to avoid a fare is treated as travelling without a ticket. Under 5 travels free without a berth. From 5 to 11 it is half fare without a berth or full fare with one. From 12 it is an adult ticket. A child who turns 5 or 12 between booking and travelling is judged by the travel date.
What is the fine for this in 2026?
₹500, plus the fare.
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