Starting July 1, 2025, several new rules come into effect across India, directly impacting everyday commuters—especially railway passengers. The most notable changes are an increase in railway fares and a major update in Tatkal ticket booking regulations, making Aadhaar authentication mandatory for all users.
Fare Hike After 12 Years: How Much More Will You Pay?
Indian Railways has announced a fare revision for second-class and AC passengers, marking the first increase in over a decade. Although the hike is minimal, it is set to affect long-distance travelers the most.
Ordinary Second-Class Trains: Fare to rise by 0.5 paisa per kilometre for journeys over 500 km.
Mail/Express Trains: Increase of 1 paisa per kilometre.
AC Classes: Hike of 2 paisa per kilometre.
For example, if you’re travelling 1,000 km in a second-class coach, your fare may increase by ₹5. While railway officials claim this is the lowest increase in 12 years, it still adds up for regular long-distance commuters.
Aadhaar Now Mandatory for Tatkal Ticket Bookings
In a bid to enhance transparency and curb fraudulent bookings, Tatkal tickets can now only be booked using Aadhaar-linked IRCTC accounts. This new rule also kicks in from July 1, 2025.
Key Changes in Tatkal Booking:
Aadhaar-based OTP authentication is compulsory for all Tatkal bookings.
OTP will be sent to the mobile number linked with your Aadhaar.
Railway agents will be blocked from booking tickets during the first 30 minutes of Tatkal window opening.
Tatkal quota bookings cannot be made without Aadhaar linkage.
This rule is aimed at ensuring only genuine users can book Tatkal tickets and is expected to make the system fairer for all.
Who Is Not Affected?
The fare hike will not apply to the following passenger categories:
Monthly Pass Holders
Suburban and Local Train Commuters
Bookings made before July 1, 2025
Why These Changes Matter
With over 2 crore people travelling via Indian Railways daily, even minor changes in fares and booking processes affect a massive section of the population. While the fare hike may pinch some, the Aadhaar-linked Tatkal ticketing aims to reduce black marketing and improve efficiency.
Passengers are advised to link their Aadhaar with their IRCTC account immediately and verify their mobile numbers to ensure hassle-free travel from July onwards.
Author Profile
- My name is Kuldeep Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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