Railways Eases ID Rules For Group Travel

Single identity proof now enough for passengers booked on the same PNR

March 12, 2026: Indian Railways has introduced a passenger-friendly change in identification rules for people travelling together on a single ticket. Under the revised guideline, passengers booked on the same PNR will no longer need to present separate identity cards individually during ticket verification. Officials said the move aims to simplify ticket checks, reduce inconvenience for families and groups, and speed up the verification process, especially during peak travel seasons when trains carry heavy passenger loads.

The change means that when multiple passengers are travelling under one PNR, only one person in the group needs to carry a valid identity document. Earlier, ticket checking staff could ask each traveller to show identification, which sometimes caused delays and inconvenience, particularly when elderly passengers or children were part of the group. The new rule applies to passengers whose tickets are booked together under the same reservation record.

Railway authorities clarified that at least one passenger must still carry a valid government-issued ID, such as an Aadhaar card, voter ID, passport or PAN card. Ticket examiners will verify the group using that document, and the remaining travellers listed on the ticket will be treated as verified under the same proof. Officials said the change is expected to make onboard verification faster and improve travel convenience for passengers across the rail network.