Indian Railways is squeezing a bit more from your wallet starting today, Friday, December 26, 2025. It’s the second time in just six months that ticket prices have gone up, and the timing—right in the middle of the winter holiday rush—is definitely a choice.
The thing is, the ministry is calling this “rationalisation.” Or nothing. Let’s be real, with operating costs hitting ₹2.63 lakh crore this year, they’re desperate for cash. Between the massive wage bill and the looming Eighth Pay Commission in 2026, they need to bridge the gap. Those too.
Also Read | Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi Sentenced to 17 Years in Jail
The Breakdown: Who Pays What?
They’ve tried to keep the local commuters happy by leaving suburban and season tickets untouched, but long-distance travelers are definitely feeling the pinch.
-
Mail and Express Trains: This is the big one. Fares for all classes (AC and Non-AC) are up by 2 paise per kilometer.
-
Example: A 500 km trip (like Delhi to Kanpur) now costs roughly ₹10 more.
-
-
Ordinary/General Class: If you’re traveling more than 215 km, you’ll pay 1 paisa extra per kilometer.
-
The Catch: If your journey is under 215 km, you’re safe—no increase there.
-
-
Premium Trains: Yes, this includes the fancy ones like Vande Bharat, Rajdhani, and Shatabdi. Their base fares have been adjusted upward in line with the class-wise hikes.
Also Read | Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi Sentenced to 17 Years in Jail
The “Why Now?” Factor
And here’s the kicker: they just did this in July.
-
The Revenue Goal: The July hike brought in ₹700 crore. This new round is expected to net another ₹600 crore by March 2026.
-
The Manpower Crisis: Employee salaries now cost the Railways ₹1.15 lakh crore, and pensions add another ₹60,000 crore.
-
Safety Upgrades: They’re trying to frame the hike as a necessary evil to pay for better signaling and the “Kavach” anti-collision system.
Also Read | Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi Sentenced to 17 Years in Jail
Quick Fare Reference Table
| Journey Type | Distance Slab | Extra Cost |
| Suburban/Local | Any | No Change |
| Ordinary Second Class | Up to 215 km | No Change |
| Ordinary Second Class | 216–750 km | ₹5 extra |
| Ordinary Second Class | 1,751–2,250 km | ₹20 extra |
| Mail/Express (All Classes) | Per km | 2 paise extra |
It’s an ongoing situation where the “record-breaking” festival special trains—over 12,000 of them this season—are barely keeping up with the demand. If you booked your ticket before today, you’re in luck—the old rates apply. But for any new bookings, the system has already updated.
Also Read | Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi Sentenced to 17 Years in Jail
End…
