Railway Rules Change: If you travel by train, it is important to know the recent changes of Indian Railways. The most important change in this is, for the first time in 5 years passenger fares increase. However, these changes are not only limited to increase in fare, but will also completely affect aspects such as Tatkal booking, waiting list, reservation charts and booking of agents.
They will affect every railway passenger. Whether it is in Sleeper Class or AC, travels daily or occasionally. Let’s know about the 5 major changes of the railway, which have recently come into force or are going to be implemented soon, and will know how they will change your journey.
Train fare will increase from July 1
Indian Railways is going to increase passenger fares in long distance mail and express trains from 1 July 2025. Under this amendment, fare in non-AC category will be increased by 1 paise per kilometer and 2 paise per kilometer in AC category. This change will be applicable to long distance trains across the country.
According to the Ministry of Railways, there has been no change in the fares of sub-urban trains and monthly season tickets (MST). At the same time, if ordinary second class passengers travel for 500 kilometers, then they will have to pay old fares. An increase of 0.5 paise per kilometer will be applicable at a distance of more than 500 kilometers.
Aadhaar compulsory in tatkal booking
The Railways has also made a big change in the process of ticket booking under the Tatkal Scheme. According to the new instructions of the Railways, TATKAL tickets will be released only to those passengers who have completed Aadhaar-based verification from 1 July 2025 through the IRCTC website or app.
The Ministry of Railways has described the move as an important improvement taken towards preventing misuse of TATKAL Scheme and giving priority to real passengers. Its purpose is to improve transparency, safety and customer experience.
Agents rein in immediate booking
Agents can also book Tatkal tickets, but they have to wait a little compared to common passengers. For example, if the immediate booking of AC class starts at 9 am, agents will have to wait till 9:30 pm to book tickets.
Similarly, booking of sleeper class opens at 10 am, but agents can book it from 10:30 pm. The purpose of this rule is that common passengers should get a chance to book tickets first and their tickets should not be missed due to agents.
Big change in railway reservation chart
If you have booked waiting tickets and keep thinking till the last time whether the ticket will be confirmed or not, then there is now a relief news. Railways is doing a new rule test, under which a reservation chart will be prepared 24 hours before the train leaves. When this system is implemented, passengers will be able to know whether their ticket has been confirmed a day before.
Railways currently creates reservation charts about four hours before the train is released. In such a situation, passengers with waiting list are confused till the last moment. Many times passengers make another settlement in this confusion and at the last moment the ticket is confirmed. Many times it also turns back. However, this problem will get rid of this problem after changing the rules.
Rules have also changed for waiting list
Railways have taken an important decision to make the maximum limit of waiting tickets in long distance trains, which has come into force from 16 June 2025.
According to the instructions of the Railway Board, now the number of waiting tickets in sleeper, third AC (3AC), second AC (2AC) and first AC (1ac) coaches has been limited to a maximum of 25% of the total berth. The Railways have made this change to reduce congestion and dislocation in trains.
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