New Delhi: The Ministry of Railways on Thursday officially notified an increase in passenger train fares, which will come into effect from Friday, December 26, 2025. This marks the second fare revision in a year, following a previous increase implemented in July. The fare hike aims to strike a balance between affordability for passengers and the sustainability of railway operations, according to the ministry.

Under the revised fare structure, ordinary class tickets for non-suburban journeys beyond 215 km will see an increase of 1 paise per kilometre. For non-AC classes of mail and express trains and all AC classes, fares will rise by 2 paise per kilometre.

Detailed Fare Revision

For second-class ordinary passengers, there will be no increase for journeys up to 215 km, protecting short-distance and daily commuters from additional charges. For longer distances, the fare increase will be applied in a graded manner:

• ₹5 for journeys between 216 km and 750 km
• ₹10 for 751 km to 1,250 km
• ₹15 for 1,251 km to 1,750 km
• ₹20 for 1,751 km to 2,250 km

Fares for sleeper class ordinary and first-class ordinary have been revised uniformly at 1 paise per kilometre for non-suburban journeys, ensuring a gradual and limited increase.

In mail and express trains, the fare hike has been standardized at 2 paise per kilometre for all classes, including sleeper class, first class, AC chair car, AC 3-tier, AC 2-tier, and AC first class. For example, a 500 km journey in non-AC mail or express coaches will cost approximately ₹10 more under the revised structure.

Affected Train Services

The revised fares apply to a wide range of services, including Tejas, Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto, Vande Bharat, Humsafar, Amrit Bharat, Mahamana, Gatimaan, Antyodaya, Garib Rath, Jan Shatabdi, Yuva Express, Namo Bharat Rapid Rail, and other ordinary non-suburban services.

The ministry clarified that the fare changes will apply only to tickets booked on or after December 26, 2025. Tickets purchased before this date will not attract any additional charges, even if the journey is undertaken after the new fare comes into effect. Updated fare lists will be displayed at stations to inform passengers of the revised charges.

Rationale for the Hike

According to the ministry, the fare hike is a rationalization measure intended to maintain operational sustainability while keeping travel affordable for millions of daily commuters. Suburban services and season tickets, covering both suburban and non-suburban routes, remain unaffected by the hike.

Indian Railways emphasized its commitment to providing safe, reliable, and affordable travel for passengers, noting that the revised fare structure reflects a balanced approach that safeguards passenger convenience without compromising the financial viability of operations.

Passengers are advised to check updated fares before booking tickets and plan their journeys accordingly to accommodate the changes effective from December 26.