Indian Railways Announces Fare Hike for Major Trains Starting December 26

The Indian Railways has officially revised passenger fares. The new ticket prices will take effect from December 26, 2025. The changes will impact numerous popular train services nationwide.

This marks a significant update to the fare structure. The revision will not affect any tickets already booked, even for future travel dates.

Which Train Services Will See Higher Fares?

The fare revision applies to almost all major non-suburban services. According to the official notification, this includes premier trains like Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and Duronto.

It also covers Vande Bharat, Humsafar, and Amrit Bharat trains. Tejas, Mahamana, Gatimaan, and Garib Rath services are included too.

The changes affect Jan Shatabdi, Yuva Express, and the Namo Bharat Rapid Rail. Importantly, suburban train services and season tickets remain completely exempt from this hike.

Understanding the New Railway Fare Structure

Fares have been raised in a graded manner across different classes. For Ordinary Non-AC classes, the increase varies by distance and service type.

In Sleeper Class and First Class Ordinary, fares rise by 1 paise per kilometer. For Second Class Ordinary, short trips under 215 km see no increase.

For longer Second Class journeys, fixed hikes apply. Travel between 216-750 km costs ₹5 more. A ₹10 increase applies for 751-1250 km trips.

Journeys of 1251-1750 km will cost ₹15 extra. The longest trips, from 1751-2250 km, see a ₹20 rise. For all Mail/Express trains, a flat 2 paise per km hike applies to all classes.

This includes Sleeper, AC Chair Car, and AC tiers. The Railways confirmed no changes to reservation fees or surcharges.

The Indian Railways fare hike is set to impact millions of travelers booking after December 25. Passengers are advised to check the new rates for their specific route and class before confirming any new bookings.

Thought you’d like to know

Which trains are most affected by the new prices?

Premium trains like Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto, and Vande Bharat are all included. The hike also applies to Humsafar, Tejas, and Garib Rath services.

How much more will a typical train ticket cost?

It depends on class and distance. For Mail/Express trains, all classes see a 2 paise per km increase. For ordinary sleeper and first class, it’s 1 paise per km.

Are there any extra charges being added?

No. The Railways states reservation fees, superfast surcharges, and GST remain unchanged. Only the base fare is being revised.

I already booked my ticket for January. Do I pay more?

No. The hike only applies to tickets booked on or after December 26, 2025. All existing bookings are fully protected.

Are local commuter trains getting more expensive?

No. Suburban services and all season tickets are completely exempt from this fare revision. The changes target long-distance travel.