The Indian Railways will implement a fare hike for second-class passengers starting July 1, 2025. This marks the first increase in passenger fares in the last five years, with the previous revision having taken place in 2020. Railway officials, however, emphasise that this is the lowest fare hike in the past 12 years.
Along with the fare revision, several new changes are set to take effect from July 1. One of the most significant updates is the introduction of Aadhaar-based Tatkal bookings. Going forward, passengers booking under the Tatkal quota will be required to provide their Aadhaar details at the time of reservation.
What’s changing for second-class travelers?
The fare hike will apply to long-distance travel and is calculated as follows:
- Second-Class Ordinary Fares: Increase of half a paisa per kilometre for journeys beyond 500 km
- Air-Conditioned (AC) Classes: Hike of 2 paise per kilometre
- Mail/Express Trains: Increase of 1 paisa per kilometre
- Importantly, there will be no change in fares for:
- Monthly Season Tickets (MSTs)
- Suburban train fares
The Railways has clarified that tickets booked before July 1, 2025, will not be subject to the revised fare structure.
A look back: fare hike history
A senior railway official noted, “Prior to 2020, the last significant fare revision across all classes took place in 2013. For example, the second-class fare for ordinary trains was increased by 2 paise per kilometre, and for Mail/Express trains, it went up by 4 paise. Sleeper class fares rose by 6 paise per kilometre.”
He added, “In 2013, all AC class fares were increased by 10 paise per kilometre, except for AC II, which saw a 6 paise hike.”
What's the need for fare hike?
According to government officials, the hike in railway fares was a rationalisation that was long overdue. "This hike will contribute to an additional Rs 1,500 crore in passenger revenues and help the Indian Railways expand passenger amenities and facilities at railway stations and in trains. Similar fare hikes took place in 2013, 2014, and 2020," M Jamshed, Former Member (Traffic), Railway Board told Moneycontrol.
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