By The Sampadak Express
Starting July 1, 2025, Indian Railways will introduce a marginal hike in passenger fares along with major changes to the Tatkal booking system, in what officials describe as a move to streamline services and ensure greater transparency.
Fare Hike Details
This marks the first passenger fare increase in several years. As per a report by The Times of India:
Non-AC Mail/Express trains: Fares to increase by 1 paise per kilometre
AC classes: Fares to increase by 2 paise per kilometre
However, not all passengers will be affected:
No fare hike for suburban train users
No change in second-class fares for journeys up to 500 km
For journeys beyond 500 km, the second-class fare will rise by 0.5 paise per kilometre
Monthly season tickets will remain unchanged, offering relief to daily commuters
Major Changes to Tatkal Booking
From July 1, 2025, only Aadhaar-authenticated users will be allowed to book Tatkal tickets via the IRCTC website or mobile app. This move is aimed at curbing misuse and ensuring genuine passengers benefit from the high-demand scheme.
Additionally, from July 15, an OTP-based Aadhaar verification process will be introduced during Tatkal bookings, adding an extra layer of security.
New Restrictions on Booking Agents
To prevent bulk bookings and misuse during peak demand hours, Indian Railways has barred authorised agents from booking Tatkal tickets during the initial 30 minutes of the daily booking window:
AC class Tatkal: Agents barred from 10:00 am to 10:30 am
Non-AC class Tatkal: Agents barred from 11:00 am to 11:30 am
Implementation & System Updates
The Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) and IRCTC have been directed to carry out the required system upgrades and coordinate with zonal railway divisions to ensure a smooth rollout and adequate public communication.
These changes reflect Indian Railways’ push towards digitisation, transparency, and better access control, particularly in high-demand booking segments like Tatkal.
