Indian Railways, one of the largest transport networks in the world, revised its passenger fare structure in 2025 after a long gap. The most recent fare adjustment came into effect on December 26, 2025, making it the second revision in the year after an earlier change implemented on July 1, 2025.
According to the Railways, the decision was taken to manage rising operational and maintenance costs while ensuring continued investment in safety, infrastructure,= and passenger services. Under the latest revision, fares for Mail, Express,= and AC trains have been increased marginally. Ordinary class fares rise by about 1 paisa per kilometre beyond a certain distance, while non-AC and AC classes see an increase of around 2 paise per kilometre. For many long-distance travellers, this translates into an increase of roughly ₹5–₹15 per journey, depending on distance and class.
Significantly, suburban services and monthly season tickets remain unaffected, offering relief to daily commuters and short-distance passengers who rely heavily on trains for work and education.
Before 2025, the last major passenger fare hike by Indian Railways was carried out in January 2020. Since then, ticket prices had largely remained unchanged despite inflation and increasing input costs.
While the latest fare increase is modest, frequent long-distance travellers may feel a gradual rise in expenses. The Railways maintains that the additional revenue will help improve service quality, fund infrastructure upgrades and support the long-term sustainability of passenger operations.
