### Indian Railways Announces Ticket Price Hike Effective December 26, 2025 In a significant move, the Ministry of Railways has declared a fare increase for train tickets, set to take effect on December 26, 2025. This adjustment aims to address rising operational costs while generating an estimated ₹600 crore in additional revenue. The fare hike will primarily impact long-distance travel, with short-distance journeys remaining unaffected. Passengers traveling in Ordinary Class for distances up to 215 km will not see any changes in their fares, while those on longer journeys will experience a marginal increase of 1 paisa per kilometer for Ordinary Class and 2 paise per kilometer for Mail and Express trains, including AC classes [https://www.swapupdate.in/indian-railways-tickets-price-hike-from-december-26-see-full-list-of-new-fare, https://www.angelone.in/news/economy/indian-railways-to-hike-long-distance-ticket-prices-from-dec-26-aims-for-600-crore-revenue-boost]. ### Breakdown of the Fare Hike Announcement 1. **Effective Date and Scope**: - The fare increase will be implemented on December 26, 2025. - It will affect long-distance travel while short-distance and suburban services remain unchanged [https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/railways-announces-new-fare-structure-from-december-26-2025-1925371]. 2. **Specific Increases**: - Ordinary Class fares will rise by **1 paisa per kilometer** for journeys exceeding 215 km. - Mail and Express train fares (both AC and non-AC) will see an increase of **2 paise per kilometer** [https://www.businessupturn.com/nation/railway-ministry-announces-marginal-fare-hike-from-december-26-what-passengers-need-to-know]. 3. **Revenue Goals**: - The Railway Ministry anticipates that this fare adjustment will contribute to a revenue boost of approximately **₹600 crore** [https://www.angelone.in/news/economy/indian-railways-to-hike-long-distance-ticket-prices-from-dec-26-aims-for-600-crore-revenue-boost]. 4. **Impact on Passengers**: - While long-distance travelers will face increased costs, daily commuters using suburban services and short-distance travelers will not be affected, ensuring affordability for regular passengers [https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indian-railways-to-hike-fare-on-long-distance-travel-from-dec-26-heres-why-101766308542922.html]. ### Summary of Key Findings - **Fare Increase Overview**: - The Indian Railways will implement a fare hike effective December 26, 2025, primarily affecting long-distance travel. - **Details of the Increase**: - **1 paisa/km** for Ordinary Class beyond 215 km. - **2 paise/km** for Mail/Express and AC classes. - **Revenue Generation**: - The fare hike is projected to generate an additional **₹600 crore** for the Railways. - **Passenger Impact**: - Short-distance and suburban fares remain unchanged, protecting regular commuters from increased costs. This fare adjustment reflects the Indian Railways' ongoing efforts to balance operational costs with passenger affordability, particularly in light of rising expenses in the transportation sector [https://www.fortuneindia.com/business-news/railways-hikes-fares-marginally-from-dec-26-to-offset-rising-costs-target-efficiency-gains/128924].