Railway Alert: Key Changes from July 1 – Fare Hike, Early Chart Preparation, and Aadhaar for Tatkal
Railway Alert: Key Changes from July 1 – Fare Hike, Early Chart Preparation, and Aadhaar for Tatkal
Starting July 1, 2025, Indian Railways will implement a set of major changes to make train travel more efficient and transparent. These updates include a fare revision, early chart preparation, and stricter verification for Tatkal bookings. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the aim is to build a system that is “intelligent, clear, user-friendly and productive.”
Passenger fares to increase from July 1
For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, train fares for Mail and Express services will rise slightly. Non-AC class fares will go up by 1 paise per kilometre, while AC class fares will increase by 2 paise per kilometre. Passengers travelling in second-class on journeys up to 500 km will see no change, but for longer distances, fares may rise by an additional half a paisa per kilometre. Suburban and monthly season ticket rates will remain unchanged.
Tatkal booking rules will be updated from 1st July 2025! 🚨
— Central Railway (@Central_Railway) June 30, 2025
Now Aadhaar and OTP are must for booking.
Agents can’t book tickets in first 30 mins of Tatkal time.
New steps to keep ticket booking fair and secure.#TatkalBooking #CentralRailway #IRCTC pic.twitter.com/zUstDUxZko
Reservation charts to be prepared earlier
Currently, train reservation charts are prepared four hours before departure, leaving waitlisted passengers with limited time to make alternate plans. From July 1, charts will be prepared eight hours before departure. For trains scheduled to leave before 2 PM, the final chart will now be ready by 9 PM the previous night. This move will especially benefit passengers travelling from remote or suburban areas.
Tatkal ticket booking to require Aadhaar or DigiLocker verification
From July 1, 2025, booking Tatkal tickets on the IRCTC platform will require users to complete Aadhaar authentication or verify their identity using government documents stored in DigiLocker. Additionally, OTP-based verification will become mandatory by mid-July to curb misuse and ensure tickets go to genuine passengers. Earlier, only Aadhaar was accepted, but the new rules allow other valid documents through DigiLocker for more flexibility.
These steps are part of Indian Railways’ broader effort to modernise the Passenger Reservation System and offer passengers a smoother, more transparent experience.
