Lucknow: Starting July 1, 2025, long-distance train journeys in India are set to become more expensive, as the Indian Railways prepares to implement a fare hike under a new fare policy. The increase, though relatively modest compared to previous hikes, will apply only to passengers traveling more than 500 kilometers.
What’s Changing?
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Sleeper and Second Seating (non-AC) classes:
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1 paisa per km fare increase
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For a 1,000 km journey, passengers will pay ₹10 more.
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All AC classes (including AC Chair Car, 3AC, 2AC, and 1AC):
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2 paisa per km fare increase
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For a 1,000 km trip, this amounts to ₹20 extra per ticket.
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Who is Exempt?
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Daily commuters and short-distance travelers covering up to 500 km will not be affected.
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Passengers with Monthly Season Tickets (MST) will also be spared the hike, ensuring relief for daily travelers.
Why the Hike?
The last fare revision was implemented on January 1, 2020, more than 5 years and 6 months ago. At that time, Indian Railways had hiked fares by:
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1–2 paisa/km for second class
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2–4 paisa/km for sleeper and AC categories
Before that, in 2013, across-the-board hikes were made—up to 10 paisa/km for AC classes. Compared to those revisions, the current hike is much more conservative, aimed at offsetting rising operational costs without burdening daily commuters.
What Else Has Changed Recently?
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The IRCTC has also revised rules for Tatkal ticket booking.
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From July 15, passengers must link their Aadhaar number to their IRCTC account to book Tatkal tickets.
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Bottom Line
While the fare hike will have minimal impact on short-distance and daily passengers, long-distance travelers will need to budget slightly more for their upcoming journeys. This move reflects Indian Railways’ ongoing efforts to modernize operations and balance rising infrastructure costs, all while keeping affordability in mind.
