Planning a train trip soon? Brace yourself—your ticket’s about to get a bit pricier. Starting July 1, 2025, Indian Railways is rolling out a fare hike, the first major increase in over five years. And that’s not all: Tatkal bookings just got stricter, with Aadhaar-linked IRCTC accounts now mandatory. Here’s the lowdown on what’s changing and how it’ll hit your wallet.
Fare Hike: How Much More Will You Pay?
Let’s be real—no one likes paying more, but at least this increase isn’t too steep. Here’s the breakdown:
- Second-Class (Ordinary Trains): 0.5 paisa/km extra for journeys over 500 km.
- AC Classes: 2 paisa/km more.
- Mail/Express Trains: 1 paisa/km bump.
Railway officials claim this is the “lowest hike in 12 years,” but if you’re a frequent traveler, those extra pennies will add up.
Good news? Monthly pass holders, suburban/local train commuters, and anyone who booked tickets before July 1 won’t be affected.
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Tatkal Tickets Now Require Aadhaar – No More Last-Minute Agent Bookings
Booking Tatkal tickets just got a lot more official. From July 1:
✔ Aadhaar-linked IRCTC account is a must. No Aadhaar? No Tatkal ticket.
✔ OTP verification will be sent to your Aadhaar-registered mobile number.
✔ Agents blocked for 30 mins before Tatkal booking opens—giving regular passengers a fair shot.
The move aims to curb black-market bookings and make the process more transparent. But if you’re someone who relies on agents, you might need to adjust your strategy.
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Why the Changes?
Railways says the fare hike is “modest” and necessary to keep up with operational costs. As for the Aadhaar rule, it’s all about cutting down on fraud and ensuring tickets go to real passengers, not scalpers.
What Should You Do?
- Check your IRCTC account: Make sure it’s linked to Aadhaar if you plan to book Tatkal.
- Book early: If you’re traveling soon, lock in fares before July 1 to avoid the hike.
- Local train users? Relax—this doesn’t affect you.
Final Thoughts
Train travel in India is still one of the most affordable ways to get around, but these changes mean you’ll need to be a little more prepared. A small fare bump and stricter Tatkal rules might be annoying, but if it means fewer bots and touts snagging tickets, maybe it’s worth it
