Every day, millions of passengers use Indian Railways to travel across the country. There are no specific restrictions on carrying cash for domestic travel on Indian Railways. However, it is important to follow certain guidelines.
However, passengers carrying large amounts of cash (usually over ₹50,000) may be questioned by law enforcement or railway authorities, especially during checks by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) or income tax officials. If you are carrying a large amount of cash, it is best to have proper documentation or proof of the source of the funds, especially for amounts over ₹50,000. This may include receipts, return tickets, or business-related documents.
If you are carrying a substantial amount of cash, it is advisable to carry relevant identification and supporting documents to explain the source and purpose of the funds, as per anti-money laundering regulations. The maximum amount of cash you can carry in India on Indian Railways is Rs 50,000. If you are carrying more than this, you need to submit proper documents to the Railway Protection Force (RPF).
Let's see what are the correct documents you can submit. It is imperative to have a bank statement showing the source of the money, a receipt for the purchase of the money, and a letter from your employer stating that you are carrying the money for business purposes. The Income Tax Act, 1961, contains certain rules to control unaccounted cash transactions. Carrying large sums of money without documents may be subject to scrutiny under these laws.
Inspections are particularly conducted during major festivals, elections or in areas where illegal transactions are high. Although there is no cash limit set for passengers on Indian Railways, it is essential to be cautious and carry proper proof of large sums to avoid legal complications.