Come December 1 and carrying original proof of identity during the travel will be mandatory on reserved train tickets. To facilitate travel of bona fide passengers and reduce misuse of reserved ticketing system by unscrupulous elements, the Railways has decided to extend the condition for all reserved classes including Second Class, Sleeper Class, Third Economy and First Class.
Presently, passengers travelling in reserved classes on e-tickets, Tatkal tickets, using AC classes on the tickets issued through the computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS) have to produce proof of identity.
Additionally, the Railways has also decided to expand the list of prescribed proofs of identity to include photo identity cards having serial numbers issued by public sector undertakings, district, municipal and panchayat administrations. It includes voters photo identity card issued by Election Commission of India, passport, PAN card, driving licence, student identity card, nationalised bank passbook with photographs, credit cards issued by banks with photograph, Aadhaar card, photo identity cards having serial number issued by PSUs, district administrations, municipal bodies and panchayat administrations.
Also photo identity card such as Pension Pay Orders, ration card with photographs, senior citizen cards, BPL cards, ESI cards with photograph and CGHS cards with photograph will be acceptable.