New Delhi: Indian Railways has announced a revision in passenger train fares across all classes and categories, with the increased rates coming into effect from December 26, 2025. The hike applies to tickets booked on or after this date. However, the Railways has clarified that passengers who booked reserved tickets in advance will not be required to pay any additional charges.
The fare rationalisation has been introduced to balance rising operational costs with passenger convenience. Railway officials cited increasing expenditure on employee salaries, pensions and overall operational expenses as the primary reasons behind the move.
No Impact on Already Booked Tickets
Addressing a major concern among travellers, the Railways confirmed that tickets booked before the fare hike will remain valid at the old rates. Unlike earlier instances, passengers will not be charged any difference during travel, and Ticket Checking Staff (TTEs) will not collect any extra fare. The policy aligns with practices followed in the aviation sector, where fare hikes do not apply retrospectively.
Categories Exempted from Fare Hike
The fare increase does not apply to:
- Suburban train services in cities such as Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai
- Monthly season tickets (both suburban and non-suburban)
- Second-class or general tickets for journeys up to 215 kilometres, where fares remain unchanged
Revised Fares in General and Non-AC Classes
For general (non-AC) class travel, the fare hike is distance-based:
- 216–750 km: ₹5 increase
- 751–1,250 km: ₹10 increase
- 1,251–1,750 km: ₹15 increase
- 1,751–2,250 km: ₹20 increase
In non-AC sleeper, ordinary and first-class categories, fares have been increased by 1 paise per kilometre.
Mail/Express and Premium Trains
According to the Railways, fares for Mail and Express trains, including both AC and non-AC classes (Sleeper, First Class, AC Chair Car, AC 3-Tier, AC 2-Tier and AC First Class), have been raised by 2 paise per kilometre.
For example, a 500-kilometre journey on a non-AC Mail or Express train will now cost passengers approximately ₹10 more.
The revised fares apply uniformly across premium and semi-premium trains such as Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto, Vande Bharat, Tejas, Humsafar, Amrit Bharat, Garib Rath, Jan Shatabdi, Antyodaya, Gatimaan, Yuva Express and Namo Bharat Rapid Rail.
No Change in Other Charges
Indian Railways has made it clear that there is no change in reservation charges, superfast surcharge or other ancillary fees. GST rates and fare round-off rules will also continue as before.
The Railways maintains that the fare rationalisation is a measured step aimed at ensuring long-term financial sustainability while continuing to improve passenger services and infrastructure.
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