Indian Railways Hikes Fares: Long-Distance Travelers Face Burden from Dec 26, 2025

• Indian Railways announced a fare hike for Mail/Express trains, effective December 26, 2025, as part of 'rationalization'.
• Fares will increase by 2 paise per kilometer for both non-AC and AC coaches, impacting long-distance journeys.
• Suburban services, Monthly Season Tickets (MSTs), and ordinary class travel under 215 km are exempt from the hike.
• The hike is expected to generate an additional Rs. 600 crore revenue for Railways by March 31, 2026.
• Passengers criticize the move, citing existing high fares (like Vande Bharat) and potential commercial asset utilization for revenue.

Why It Matters: Indian Railways increases long-distance Mail/Express fares by 2 paise/km from Dec 26, 2025.