Indian Railways Rationalises Passenger Fares from Dec 26, 2025; Short Journeys Unaffected

New Delhi, Dec 26 (KNN) Indian Railways has rationalised its passenger fare structure with effect from 26 December 2025, adopting a calibrated approach aimed at balancing passenger affordability with the sustainability of railway operations. 

The revision has been designed to minimise the impact on the majority of travellers.

Under the revised structure, there is no increase in fares for suburban services and Season Tickets, covering both suburban and non-suburban routes. Further, Second Class Ordinary journeys up to 215 km will continue at existing fare levels, ensuring that short-distance and daily commuters remain unaffected.

For Ordinary Non-AC (Non-Suburban) services, fares have been revised in a graded manner. Second Class Ordinary fares increase modestly by Rs 5 for distances between 216 km and 750 km, 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, fares have been rationalised uniformly at 1 paise per kilometre, limiting the financial impact on passengers.

In Mail and Express trains, fare revision across both Non-AC and AC classes has been capped at 2 paise per kilometre. This applies to Sleeper, First Class, AC Chair Car, AC 3-Tier, AC 2-Tier and AC First Class. For instance, a 500 km non-AC Mail/Express journey would see an increase of approximately Rs 10.

The basic fares of major train services including Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto, Vande Bharat, Tejas, Amrit Bharat, Humsafar, Garib Rath, Jan Shatabdi, Antyodaya, Gatimaan, Mahamana, Yuva Express, Namo Bharat Rapid Rail and Ordinary non-suburban services have been revised in line with the approved class-wise fare adjustments.

Importantly, no changes have been made to reservation fees, superfast surcharges or other ancillary charges. GST applicability and fare rounding norms also remain unchanged. 

The revised fares will apply only to tickets booked on or after 26 December 2025 tickets booked prior to this date will not attract any additional charges, even for travel undertaken later.

Indian Railways stated that updated fare lists will be displayed at stations from the effective date. The rationalisation, it said, reflects a balanced approach to safeguarding passenger convenience while ensuring long-term operational viability.

(KNN Bureau)