Indian Railways will introduce new rules to its fare structure and Tatkal booking system starting July 1, 2025. These updates, the first fare revision since the COVID-19 pandemic, aim to streamline travel and curb misuse of the reservation system.
Fare Adjustments from July 1, 2025
A nominal fare hike will apply across various train categories:
- Mail/Express (Non-AC): A ₹0.01 increase per kilometre.
- AC Classes: A ₹0.02 increase per kilometre.
- Ordinary Second-Class: No hike for journeys under 500 km. For distances beyond 500 km, a ₹0.005 increase per kilometre.
Suburban train fares and monthly season ticket prices will remain unchanged, providing relief to daily commuters.
Mandatory Aadhaar for Tatkal Bookings
A major change is coming for Tatkal ticket bookings. From July 1, 2025, Aadhaar authentication will be mandatory for booking Tatkal tickets through the IRCTC website or mobile app. The Ministry of Railways has confirmed this move to reduce fraudulent activities.
Furthermore, from July 15, 2025, an additional OTP-based Aadhaar verification will be required for all Tatkal bookings. This two-step verification aims to ensure genuine users secure last-minute tickets.
Restrictions for Agents: Indian Railways New Rules July 1
To prevent misuse by authorized agents, Indian Railways has imposed strict time-based limits:
- AC Tatkal Tickets: Agents cannot book between 10:00 am and 10:30 am.
- Non-AC Tatkal Tickets: Agents are blocked from 11:00 am to 11:30 am.
These restrictions will give general passengers better access to high-demand Tatkal tickets.
New Reservation Chart Rule on Trial
Indian Railways is also testing a new system where reservation charts will be prepared 24 hours before train departure, instead of the current 4-hour window. If implemented nationwide, this will allow passengers to know their final booking status a full day in advance, aiding travel planning. However, it will also shift the window for cancelling confirmed tickets with a refund.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Refund rules will vary based on cancellation time and coach class:
- 48 to 12 hours before departure: 25% of the fare will be deducted.
- 12 to 4 hours before departure: A higher deduction will apply.
- After chart preparation: No refund for confirmed tickets.
Refund amounts will see higher deductions for AC classes. Passengers with unconfirmed waiting list tickets typically receive nearly a full refund. Online passengers can check their refund status and charges on the IRCTC platform.
These updates aim to create a more organized and secure booking experience for rail travellers across India.
