New Delhi: The month of July 2025 is going to be very special for those who are traveling by railways. From July 1st, 2025, onwards, Indian Railways is going to make some important changes in the rules. The upcoming are expected to directly affect the pockets of the passengers and the booking system, report stated. Two of these rules are likely to come into effect on July 1, and a new rule on July 15. These changes include many important changes, including an increase in railway fares and strictness in Tatkal ticket booking rules.
From July 1 onwards, train travel is expected to become a little more expensive than before, reports claimed. Railways is likely to make changes in the fares of the train tickets. There could be an increase of 2 paise per km in AC class, media reports stated. For example, if a passenger traveled from Bhopal to Delhi (700 km) in 3AC, till now the fare was Rs 1090. After July 1st, 2025, the passengers are expected to pay about Rs 14 more, i.e., Rs 1104. Whereas in sleeper class, the fare will increase by 1 paisa per km. For example, suppose a passenger travels from Varanasi to Mumbai (1500 km) by Kamayani Express; till now the fare was Rs 575. If teh ticket price is increased, travellers have to pay Rs 15 more, i.e., Rs 590. Additionally, there will be an increase of 0.5 paise per km in 2S class. For example, if a passenger travels from Bhubaneswar to Kanyakumari (2,180 km) by Vivek Express, then he/she would have to pay about Rs 11 more.
IRCTC has made it clear that from July 1, 2025, Tatkal tickets will be available only to those passengers whose IRCTC account is linked and verified with Aadhaar.
Apart from this, if you book a Tatkal Ticket from 15th July, then while booking the Tatkal Ticket, the passenger will receive an OTP (One-Time Password) on the mobile number linked to his Aadhar Card. The ticket cannot be booked without entering this OTP. The additional screening of OTP has been added to ensure that genuine passengers and customers are given preference and black marketing of ticketing is discouraged.
Railways is coming up with these changes so that the instant booking system could be made more transparent. Thereby, it will help to prevent errors caused by agents and automated bots. Genuine passengers could get ticket on time in emergency cases, which is one of motives for the made changes
