Indian Railways has made an important change for passengers travelling with unreserved tickets.
From now on, carrying a printed copy of an unreserved ticket has become mandatory.
This rule applies to tickets booked through the UTS mobile app, ATVM machines, and physical ticket counters.
Showing the ticket only on a mobile phone will no longer be enough during checks.
Why Printed Tickets Are Now Mandatory
The main reason behind this decision is the rise in digital ticket fraud.
Railway officials have noticed an increase in fake tickets created using advanced technology, including artificial intelligence.
These fake tickets often look real, with correct layouts, QR codes, and journey details.
During quick inspections, especially on crowded trains, it becomes difficult for staff to spot such fraud.
Printed tickets make verification easier and reduce the chances of misuse.
The Incident That Raised Alarm Bells
The issue came to light after an incident on the Jaipur route.
A group of students was found travelling with mobile tickets that looked completely genuine.
The QR codes scanned successfully, and all details matched the journey.
However, further system checks revealed that the tickets were AI-generated and fake.
This incident made it clear that relying only on mobile displays was risky, leading to the immediate rule change.
Why Mobile Tickets Are Being Questioned
Mobile tickets can be edited, copied, or generated using AI tools.
Screenshots and cloned QR codes are becoming common methods of fraud.
Because ticket-checking staff have limited time during inspections, such fake tickets can easily pass unnoticed.
Printed tickets, on the other hand, offer a more reliable and traceable way to confirm authenticity.
Tickets That Require a Printed Copy
Passengers must carry a printed ticket if they are travelling on unreserved tickets booked through:
UTS mobile app
Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs)
Physical railway ticket counters
However, this rule does not apply to:
Reserved e-tickets
MT-CUT tickets
These ticket types will continue under the existing verification system.
What Passengers Should Keep in Mind
If a passenger is found without a printed unreserved ticket, they may be treated as travelling without a valid ticket, even if the ticket is visible on their phone.
Indian Railways says this step is necessary to prevent revenue loss, ensure fair travel, and stay ahead of modern fraud techniques.
For unreserved journeys, a printed ticket is now the safest option.
