Indian Railways ticket fare hike: In a matter of bad news for the commuters who regularly do long-distance travel the Indian Railways has announced a hike in ticket fares. As per a report by Times of India the fares of non-AC mail and express trains and AC classes will see a marginal increase from July 1 2025. Readers should note that the expected fare increase will be the first such increase after 2020. Here are all the details you need to know about the expected hike in fares of Indian Railways. Indian Railways ticket fare hike: Details As per media reports the fares for non-AC mail and express trains will rise by 1 paisa per kilometre and the AC classes of the Indian Railways will see a 2 paisa per kilometre increase from July 1 2025. Readers should note that the new tariff will only affect ordinary second class (for distances over 500 km) Mail/Express non-AC coaches and all AC classes. Only Aadhaar authenticated users can book Tatkal tickets on IRCTC website from July 1 In a significant development in ticket booking rules of the Indian Railways the Ministry of Railways announced that with effect from July 1 Tatkal tickets booked through IRCTC’s official website and mobile app will be available only to users authenticated with Aadhaar. The announcement also made it clear that Aadhaar-based OTP authentication will become mandatory for Tatkal bookings made online starting July 15. “Tatkal tickets shall be available for booking through computerised PRS (Passenger Reservation System) counters of Indian Railways/authorised agents only after authentication of a system-generated OTP which shall be sent through the system on the mobile number furnished by the users at the time of booking. This shall also be implemented by 15/07/2025” the ministry said. A report by PTI news agency has reported that the Tatkal tickets booked at computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters and through authorised agents will require OTP authentication sent to the mobile number provided by the user at the time of booking. Notably this provision will also come into effect from July 15. (With inputs from agencies)