Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Dec 25: Indian Railways has announced a calibrated revision of passenger fares, effective December 26, aimed at maintaining affordable travel while ensuring the long-term financial viability of railway operations, the Ministry of Railways said on Thursday.
Clarifying the scope of the changes, the ministry said there will be no revision in fares for suburban services or season tickets, whether suburban or non-suburban. These categories remain completely untouched under the new structure.
For Ordinary Non-AC (Non-Suburban) services, fares have been adjusted in a staggered and distance-based manner. In Second Class Ordinary, passengers travelling up to 215 km will see no increase at all, protecting short-distance travellers and daily commuters. For journeys between 216 km and 750 km, fares will rise by Rs 5. Longer distances will see incremental hikes — Rs 10 for 751–1250 km, Rs 15 for 1251–1750 km, and Rs 20 for 1751–2250 km.
In Sleeper Class Ordinary and First Class Ordinary (Non-Suburban), fares have been revised uniformly at the rate of 1 paise per kilometre, ensuring that the increase remains modest and spread evenly across distances.
Mail and Express trains will witness a slightly higher rationalisation, with fares revised at 2 paise per kilometre across both Non-AC and AC categories. This applies to Sleeper Class, First Class, AC Chair Car, AC 3-Tier, AC 2-Tier, and AC First Class. For example, a passenger travelling 500 km in a non-AC Mail or Express train will pay approximately Rs 10 more.
The revised fare structure has also been extended uniformly to premium and special services such as Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto, Vande Bharat, Tejas, Gatimaan, Humsafar, Amrit Bharat, Garib Rath, Antyodaya, Jan Shatabdi, Yuva Express, Mahamana, Namo Bharat Rapid Rail, and Ordinary non-suburban services, in line with approved class-wise revisions.
Importantly, there is no change in reservation charges, superfast surcharges, or other additional fees, all of which will continue as per existing norms. GST rules remain unchanged, and fares will continue to be rounded off in accordance with prevailing guidelines.
The ministry clarified that the revised fares will apply only to tickets booked on or after December 26, 2025. Tickets purchased before this date will not be affected, even if the journey takes place later.
Railway authorities have also begun updating fare charts displayed at stations to reflect the new rates from the effective date.