Indian Rly. announces fare hike and Aadhaar mandate bookings

New Delhi: In a major development since the COVID-19 pandemic, Indian Railways has announced a revision in passenger train fares, which will come into effect from July 1, 2025. This marks the first fare hike in several years, introduced to counter rising operational expenses and inflationary pressures. The adjustment will be implemented across various classes and routes, while maintaining exemptions for key categories to protect the interests of daily commuters and budget-conscious travelers.

The fare changes are designed to be measured and considerate. Suburban trains and monthly season ticket rates will remain untouched, offering relief to millions of daily passengers. For ordinary second-class travel under 500 kilometers, fares will stay the same, but long-distance passengers in this category will see a modest increase. Non-AC Mail and Express trains will experience a small upward revision, while air-conditioned classes will see a slightly higher rate adjustment. Officials emphasized that the changes are essential to generate revenue for infrastructure upgrades and improved services, without imposing undue burden on short-distance travelers.

In a parallel effort to enhance transparency and prevent misuse of the Tatkal ticketing system, the Ministry of Railways has mandated Aadhaar authentication for Tatkal bookings starting the same day. Only passengers with verified Aadhaar identification will be allowed to book Tatkal tickets via the IRCTC website and mobile app. Further security reinforcement will be introduced with Aadhaar-based OTP verification from July 15. These measures aim to streamline the booking process and limit fraudulent practices.

Additionally, to combat malpractice by intermediaries, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has tightened restrictions on agents. Agents will be prohibited from booking Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of the booking window for both AC and non-AC classes. The Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) is currently working on necessary updates to the booking platform to ensure full compliance across all railway zones.

Together, these initiatives represent Indian Railways’ renewed focus on operational efficiency, technological integration, and passenger-centric reforms, as the nation’s transport backbone moves into a more transparent and sustainable future.