Indian Railways has issued an important clarification for passengers using the RailOne app to book unreserved train tickets.
If someone else books a ticket on their phone and sends you a screenshot through WhatsApp or another platform, that screenshot may not be accepted as a valid ticket.
Passengers are required to carry the same mobile phone on which the ticket was booked and on which the RailOne app is registered.
Why Is the Phone Used for Booking Important?
According to Saurabh Jain, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of West Central Railway’s Kota Division, an unreserved ticket booked through RailOne is linked to the specific registered mobile phone used for the booking.
This means simply showing a screenshot of the ticket on another person’s phone is not enough.
For example, if your friend books an unreserved ticket on their phone and sends you the ticket image on WhatsApp, you cannot rely on that screenshot while travelling.
Passengers should book their own tickets using their registered mobile phones and carry the same phone during the journey.
Ticket Must Be Booked Before Boarding
Railways has also reminded passengers that they must have a valid ticket before boarding the train.
Passengers cannot board without a ticket and then wait until they see ticket-checking staff before booking an unreserved ticket through their phone.
The same rule applies if another person has booked the ticket for them.
A screenshot of someone else’s booking does not become a valid digital travel authority simply because it is displayed on the passenger’s phone.
Keep Your Phone Charged During the Journey
There is another important detail that passengers should not ignore.
The mobile phone used to book the RailOne ticket must be switched on and sufficiently charged so that the digital ticket can be displayed when railway staff ask for it.
Therefore, passengers using digital unreserved tickets should make sure they have enough battery throughout the journey.
What Happens If You Show Only a Screenshot?
Railways has made it clear that a screenshot or ticket image received through WhatsApp or another messaging service may not be accepted as proof of a valid digital ticket.
Passengers should instead ensure that the ticket remains accessible through the RailOne app on the registered mobile phone used for booking.
This rule is particularly important for passengers who depend on others to book tickets for them.
Penalty for Travelling Without a Proper Ticket Has Increased
Passengers should also be aware of a recent increase in the minimum penalty.
According to the railway official, the minimum penalty for travelling without a proper ticket or with an irregular ticket has increased from ₹250 to ₹500, effective June 19, 2026.
So, carrying the correct digital ticket is more important than ever.
The Simple Rule to Remember
If you book an unreserved ticket through RailOne, book it before boarding, carry the same phone used for the booking, and keep the phone charged.
Do not depend on screenshots shared through WhatsApp or other messaging platforms, as they may not be accepted during ticket checking.
