New Delhi, December 26, 2025
Train travel across India has become slightly more expensive from today, as the Indian Railways implemented revised passenger fares starting December 26, following a formal notification issued by the Railway Ministry.
Under the new fare structure, passengers traveling more than 215 kilometers will now pay an additional 1 to 2 paise per kilometer, depending on the class and type of train. However, there is no fare increase for Second Class Ordinary travel up to 215 km, offering relief to short-distance commuters.
Details of the Fare Revision
According to the Railway Ministry’s notification issued on Thursday, the revised fares apply as follows:
Second Class Ordinary Trains:
No fare hike for journeys up to 215 kmJourneys Beyond 215 km:
Second Class Ordinary: 1 paisa per km increase
Mail/Express Non-AC Classes: 1 paisa per km increase
All AC Classes (All Trains): 2 paise per km increase
The revised rates apply uniformly across Mail, Express, and premium trains.
Distance-Wise Fare Increase (Second Class Ordinary)
| Travel Distance | Fare Increase |
|---|---|
| 0 – 215 km | No increase |
| 216 – 750 km | ₹5 |
| 751 – 1,250 km | ₹10 |
| 1,251 – 1,750 km | ₹15 |
| 1,751 – 2,250 km | ₹20 |
Premium and Special Trains Covered
The same class-wise fare hike will apply to premium and special trains, including:
Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto, Vande Bharat, Tejas, Humsafar, Amrit Bharat, Garib Rath, Jan Shatabdi, Antyodaya, Gatimaan, Yuva Express, Namo Bharat Rapid Rail, and other special services.
The Railway Ministry clarified that reservation charges, superfast surcharges, and other fees remain unchanged. GST will continue to be levied as per existing rules.
Suburban Trains Unaffected
The fare revision does not impact suburban train services. Indian Railways confirmed that:
No change has been made to single-journey suburban tickets
Season tickets, both suburban and non-suburban, remain unchanged
When Will the New Fares Apply?
Railways stated that the revised fares will apply only to tickets booked on or after December 26, 2025. Tickets booked before this date will not attract any additional charges.
Railway authorities have also directed stations to update displayed fare charts in line with the new rates effective December 26.
Why Railways Revised Fares
Defending the move, the Railway Ministry said the revision aims to rationalize fares while maintaining a balance between affordable travel for passengers and rising operational costs. This marks the second fare revision within a year, following an earlier hike in July.
