Indian Railways Hikes Fares: Long-Distance Travel Gets Costlier from Dec 2025

• Indian Railways announced a fare hike effective December 26, 2025, impacting long-distance travelers.
• Fares increase by 1 paisa/km for General class (journeys over 215 km) and 2 paise/km for non-AC Mail/Express and all AC classes.
• Daily commuters, local train passengers, and short-distance travelers (under 215 km in General) are exempt from the hike.
• The hike aims to generate an additional 600 crore rupees by March 31, 2026, for safety, maintenance, and facility improvements.
• Railways also recently announced charges for luggage exceeding prescribed limits, varying by coach class.

Why It Matters: Indian Railways increases long-distance fares from Dec 2025 to fund improvements, sparing daily commuters.