Parliament Question: Revision of passenger fares

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1735 ANSWERED ON 13.02.2026 REVISION OF PASSENGER FARES 1735 SHRI HARIS BEERAN: SMT. PHULO DEVI NETAM: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state: (a) whether Government has undertaken two revision of passenger fares during the financial year 2025–26, if so, the dates, categories of trains, and classes of travel to which each revision applied; (b) the State-wise details of stations and services affected by these fare revisions; (c) whether Government assessed the cumulative financial impact of multiple fare increases on passengers, particularly low- and middle-income commuters, prior to implementing the second revision; and (d) manner in which Government plans to revise the system without hindering service to passengers who cannot afford to pay the twice-increased amount? ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW) (a) to (d) Indian Railways has undertaken two rationalizations of passenger fares during the financial year 2025–26 after a gap of 5 years. These revisions have been carried out uniformly and in a calibrated manner across applicable classes. The first rationalization was implemented with effect from 01.07.2025, in which there was no increase in fare of Second Class Ordinary up to 500 km and thereafter increase of half paisa per passenger per kilometer (PKM). There was a marginal increase in fares of Ordinary (Sleeper Class and First-Class) by half paisa per PKM, in Mail Express Non-AC Classes by one paisa per PKM and in AC Classes by 02 paisa per PKM. The second rationalisation was implemented with effect from 26.12.2025, in which there was no increase in fares of Second Class Ordinary up to 215 km and thereafter increase of one paisa per PKM. There was a marginal increase in fares in Ordinary (Sleeper Class and First-Class) by one paisa per PKM and in Mail Express Non-AC Class & AC Classes by two paisa per PKM. The increase in fares has been low, ranging from half paise per km to two paise per km of travel. Keeping the affordability concerns of low and middle income passengers, there has been no increase in fare in the last ten years for Suburban service and season ticket holders. It is estimated that less than half the trips will have a marginal increase in fare. §The total amount of subsidy given in FY 2023-24 on passenger travel is provisionally estimated at ₹60,466 Crore. This amounts to a 45% subsidy on the cost of passenger travel. In other words, if the cost of providing services is ₹100 then the price of ticket is ₹55 only. Besides this subsidy which is common to all passengers, concessions are also given to Divyangjans, 11 categories of Patients and 8 categories of Students. ***** §