TFP Bureau, New Delhi, December 25, 2025: Indian Railways has announced a rationalisation of its passenger fare structure with effect from December 26, 2025, adopting a calibrated approach aimed at balancing passenger affordability with long-term operational sustainability. The revised fares will apply only to tickets booked on or after the effective date, with no impact on existing bookings, even for journeys scheduled later.
Under the revised framework, there will be no increase in fares for suburban train services and season tickets on both suburban and non-suburban routes, providing relief to daily commuters and frequent travellers. In a major passenger-friendly measure, second class ordinary journeys up to 215 kilometres will also remain unaffected.
For ordinary non-AC, non-suburban services, fare adjustments have been introduced in a graded manner. Second class ordinary fares will see a modest increase of ₹5 for journeys between 216 km and 750 km. For longer distances, the increase will be ₹10 for 751–1,250 km, ₹15 for 1,251–1,750 km, and ₹20 for journeys between 1,751 km and 2,250 km.
In sleeper class ordinary and first class ordinary categories, fares have been revised uniformly at the rate of one paise per kilometre for non-suburban journeys, ensuring minimal financial impact on passengers while allowing gradual cost recovery.
Mail and Express train fares across both AC and non-AC classes have been revised at a uniform rate of two paise per kilometre. This applies to sleeper class, first class, AC chair car, AC three-tier, AC two-tier and AC first class. According to Railways officials, a 500-kilometre journey in a non-AC Mail or Express train will cost passengers only about ₹10 more.
The revised fare structure has also been extended uniformly to premium and special train services such as Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto, Vande Bharat, Tejas, Humsafar, Amrit Bharat, Garib Rath, Jan Shatabdi, Antyodaya, Gatimaan, Mahamana, Yuva Express and Namo Bharat Rapid Rail, in line with approved class-wise fare adjustments.
Importantly, there will be no change in reservation charges, superfast surcharges or other ancillary fees. GST applicability and fare rounding rules will also remain unchanged, maintaining continuity in ticketing norms.
Railway authorities clarified that only tickets booked on or after December 26, 2025, will attract the revised fares. Tickets booked prior to this date will continue to be valid at existing rates, irrespective of the journey date. Updated fare charts will be displayed at stations accordingly.
Indian Railways said the fare rationalisation reflects a balanced and passenger-centric approach, ensuring the continued provision of safe, reliable and affordable transport while supporting the financial sustainability of one of the world’s largest railway networks.
