Indian Railways Announces Fare Hike and New Aadhaar Rules for Tatkal Tickets from July 2025

Indian Railways is introducing a small increase in passenger train fares starting July 1, 2025, marking the first rise in several years. This change will affect both non-AC and AC class trains, with fares going up by 1 paise per kilometre for non-AC Mail/Express trains and 2 paise per kilometre for AC classes. Though the increase is minor, it reflects the railways’ effort to balance operational costs while continuing to serve millions of passengers daily.

Alongside the fare hike, Indian Railways is making Aadhaar authentication compulsory for booking Tatkal tickets through the official IRCTC website and app from July 1, 2025. This new rule aims to ensure that Tatkal ticket benefits reach genuine passengers and reduce misuse.

Starting July 15, 2025, an additional step will be introduced where travellers must verify their booking with an Aadhaar-based OTP (One-Time Password). This extra layer of security will help prevent fraud and make the Tatkal booking process smoother and fairer for everyone.

New Restrictions for Booking Agents

Authorised booking agents will face new restrictions too. They will no longer be allowed to book Tatkal tickets during the first half-hour window on the day of ticket release. Specifically:

• AC class Tatkal bookings will be restricted from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM.
  
• Non-AC class Tatkal bookings will be restricted from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM.
  

This move is designed to give individual passengers a better chance to book tickets during the crucial early hours.

System Updates and Implementation

The railway ministry has instructed the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) and IRCTC to update their systems to support these new rules. All railway zones will be informed to ensure smooth implementation and communication with passengers.

What This Means for Passengers

• Expect a slight increase in train fares from July 1, 2025.
  
• Tatkal ticket bookings will require Aadhaar authentication for added security.
  
• Booking agents will have limited access during the initial Tatkal booking window.
  
• Passengers should be ready for an OTP verification step from mid-July.
  

These changes are part of Indian Railways’ ongoing efforts to improve ticketing fairness and security, ensuring a better travel experience for everyone.