The Ministry of Railways has announced a marginal increase in passenger train fares, set to take effect later this year. The revision, confirmed on Sunday, will see ticket prices rise for journeys beyond a certain distance across several train classes.
Details of the New Fare Structure
The hike is structured based on the class of travel and the distance. For ordinary class tickets on journeys exceeding 215 kilometres, the increase will be 1 paise per kilometre. A steeper rise of 2 paise per kilometre will apply to non-air-conditioned classes on mail and express trains, as well as to all air-conditioned classes across the board.
Officials were quick to clarify significant exemptions to this increase. There will be no change in the cost of monthly season tickets for suburban trains, a relief for daily commuters. Furthermore, travel in the ordinary class for distances up to 215 km on other trains will also remain unaffected by this revision.
Financial Impact and Effective Date
The new fare rates are scheduled to be implemented from December 26, 2025. According to railway authorities, this incremental adjustment is expected to generate additional revenue of approximately Rs 600 crore for the national transporter in the period leading up to March 31, 2026.
This move follows a previous fare revision undertaken in July 2025. The ministry reported that the earlier hike has already contributed around Rs 700 crore to its coffers so far, indicating the substantial cumulative impact of such marginal changes across millions of passengers.
Context and Passenger Implications
Fare adjustments are a periodic exercise for Indian Railways, aimed at bridging the gap between operational costs and revenue. While the per-kilometre increase appears minimal, it translates into a noticeable amount on long-distance journeys. For instance, a 1000-km journey in an AC class will see an increase of Rs 20.
The decision to protect short-distance ordinary travel and suburban commuters suggests a targeted approach, aiming to minimise the burden on frequent, budget-conscious travellers while seeking enhanced earnings from longer-haul and premium services.
