Railways Announces Clear Rules for Kids’ Train Tickets
Railways Clarifies Kids Ticket Rules: Know When to Pay Full, Half or No Fare: Indian Railways has issued a clear explanation of its child ticket rules to help parents avoid confusion while booking train tickets. Many passengers, especially those travelling with young children, often struggle to understand when a full ticket is needed, when half fare applies, and when travel is completely free. The Railways has now simplified these guidelines to ensure a smooth booking experience for all families.
According to the updated clarification, children below 5 years of age can travel for free without a ticket. However, no separate seat or berth will be provided to them. Parents must keep in mind that while the journey is free, they cannot reserve a berth for a child in this age group. This rule usually aligns with the preferences of families who carry their younger children during travel.
For children aged between 5 and 12 years, the rule is slightly different and often the cause of most confusion. If the child travels without a seat or berth, tickets can be booked at half the fare by selecting the “No Seat/No Berth (NOSB)” option. But if parents choose to reserve a berth for the child, the system automatically treats the child as an adult and charges the full fare. Once a child turns 12, they are considered a regular passenger and must pay the full ticket price.
Railways has also emphasized the importance of entering the correct age of the child when booking tickets. If the age entered is incorrect, it may create issues during ticket checking, as the TTE can ask for proof anytime. To avoid this, parents are advised to carry age-proof documents such as Aadhaar card, birth certificate, or school ID. The clarified rules aim to make train travel more convenient and error-free for families.
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