Mobile Charging Off in Trains From 11 pm to 5 am: Railway Board's Strict Order After a Power Bank Blast; Charge Your Phone and Power Bank Before Travelling
The Railway Board has directed all zonal railways that mobile and laptop charging points in train coaches must be kept switched off between 11 pm and 5 am. The order was issued on 26 October 2026 by Saumit Gupta, OSD (Electrical), Railway Board. As per reports, this strictness comes after an incident of a passenger's power bank exploding while charging in the South Eastern Railway.
What the Order Says
- Power to the mobile charging sockets of all coaches must be kept off from 11 pm to 5 am.
- The order clearly says that no exemption will be given in this arrangement.
- Railway officers and supervisors have been asked to carry out surprise inspections and check whether the charging points are actually being switched off.
- In the South Eastern Railway incident, on-board staff had not switched off the charging points at night; the concerned staff are to be instructed.
Is the Rule New or Old
- As per reports, the instruction to keep charging points off at night is not new; the Railway Board had also issued an order on this on 19 June 2014.
- This time the emphasis is on strict implementation and zonal railways have been told not to be negligent.
- As per reports, a rail safety expert had suggested switching off sockets in AC coaches at night; the order is reported to mention all coaches.
Why the Railway Took This Step
- When passengers are asleep at night, smoke or fire from a device overheating or failing cannot be detected immediately.
- While a power bank or phone is charging, a faulty charger, fake cable and overloading increase the risk of fire.
- The railway's aim is safety of passengers' lives and property from fire incidents in trains.
What Passengers Should Do
- Fully charge your phone, power bank and essential gadgets before starting the journey.
- Complete charging before 11 pm; there will be no power in charging points after 11 pm.
- Do not leave a power bank or battery charging under a pillow or blanket while sleeping, and use a good brand charger and cable.
- If charging is switched off, cooperate with the staff instead of complaining; it is for safety.
Important Links
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
At what time will charging be off in trains?
From 11 pm to 5 am.
When was this order issued?
The Railway Board issued the instructions to all zonal railways on 26 October 2026.
Has this rule come for the first time?
No, as per reports such an order was issued in 2014 also; it is now being enforced strictly.
Note: This is based on news reports and public government information. Dates, amounts and rules can change, so please confirm with the official website or the concerned office before acting. Emitrawala.com is not a government website.
