Indian Railways night charging ban has been reinforced after a passenger’s power bank exploded while charging on a train, prompting the Railway Board to order stricter enforcement of existing safety rules.
Mobile charging points in train coaches must remain switched off between 11 pm and 5 am, with no exceptions permitted during these hours.
The Railway Board issued fresh instructions on October 26, 2026, directing all zonal railways to ensure that onboard staff follow the six-hour restriction.
Officials and supervisors have also been asked to conduct surprise inspections to check whether charging points are switched off on time.
For passengers travelling overnight, the directive means that charging phones and other devices through train-coach charging sockets will not be possible during the restricted period.
Travellers should charge their essential devices before 11 pm and plan accordingly for long journeys.
Indian Railways Night Charging Ban: What the Rule Says
The restriction requires mobile charging points in passenger coaches to remain switched off from 11 pm until 5 am.
The Railway Board has instructed all zonal railway administrations to ensure that the rule is followed throughout the specified period, without exceptions.
The latest communication is a renewed push to enforce an existing safety measure, rather than the introduction of an entirely new rule.
The restriction dates back to June 19, 2014, when the Railways issued instructions to switch off charging points during these overnight hours.
Power Bank Explosion Triggers Safety Concerns
The renewed enforcement follows a power bank explosion aboard the Mumbai-Howrah Mail near Bandamunda station in Odisha in the early hours of October 25.
The device reportedly exploded while charging in an air-conditioned coach, triggering a fire alarm and filling the compartment with smoke.
The train was halted for around 15 minutes while railway personnel responded to the incident. No injuries were reported.
The incident raised concerns about compliance with the overnight charging restriction.
According to reports, onboard staff had not switched off the charging points during the prescribed hours, allowing the power bank to remain connected.
The Railway Board subsequently reiterated the requirement for strict implementation across railway zones.
Railway Staff Face Stricter Monitoring
The Railway Board has instructed zonal authorities to inform, guide and train the employees responsible for implementing the rule.
Surprise inspections by officers and supervisors will be used to verify whether charging points are switched off during the restricted hours.
The renewed Indian Railways night charging ban enforcement places responsibility on railway staff to ensure that charging facilities are disconnected at the designated time.
The aim is to strengthen compliance with existing fire-safety precautions and reduce risks associated with electrical devices left charging unattended.
Passengers should charge their phones, power banks and other essential devices before the restriction begins.
They should also avoid leaving power banks connected to charging sockets unattended, particularly while sleeping during overnight journeys.
The key takeaway for travellers is straightforward: plan device charging around the 11 pm to 5 am restriction and do not assume that train charging points will be available throughout the night.
