**Executive Summary**
This report outlines the record-breaking performance of Indian Railways during the 2025–26 fiscal year, noting significant growth in both passenger traffic and cargo transport. Total passenger revenue reached ₹80,000 crore, and freight loading hit a record 1,670 million tonnes, reflecting enhanced operational efficiency and capacity. The document serves as a year-end performance review, highlighting the Railways' role as a vital logistics and mobility provider for the nation.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Passenger Traffic and Revenue Growth**
* **Passenger Volume:** Carried 741 crore passengers, representing a 3.54% increase over the previous fiscal year.
* **Earnings:** Total passenger revenue rose to approximately ₹80,000 crore, a 5.96% increase from ₹75,500 crore in 2024–25.
**Freight Loading and Logistics**
* **Record Tonnage:** Achieved a record 1,670 Million Tonnes (MT) of freight, a 3.25% growth over the previous year.
* **Operational Efficiency:** Handled 2,91,86,475 wagons, reflecting a 4.56% increase in wagon management.
* **Commodity Drivers:** Significant growth was driven by Fertilisers (up 13.49%) and Pig Iron & Steel (up 13.11%).
* **Infrastructure Support:** Iron Ore transportation increased by 6.74% (190.12 MT) and Cement grew by 4.74% (157.17 MT).
**Regional Performance**
* **Top Performing Zones:** South Western Railway recorded the highest growth at 14.89%.
* **Double-Digit Growth:** North Central Railway (12.62%), East Coast Railway (10.42%), and West Central Railway (10.06%) also showed strong performance.
* **Widespread Growth:** Positive growth was reported across nearly all other zones, including NFR (6.75%), NWR (5.17%), and WR (3.57%).
**Financial Performance in Freight**
* **Total Freight Revenue:** Earnings reached approximately ₹1,77,754 crore, a 1.44% increase year-on-year.
* **Revenue Contributors:** Iron Ore was the highest contributor (₹14,600.51 crore), followed by Cement (₹13,599 crore) and Pig Iron & Finished Steel (₹12,181 crore).
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Railways / Indian Railways**
**Impact**
The organization achieved significant operational milestones and revenue growth, reinforcing its position as the backbone of the nation’s logistics network.
**Action Required**
Continue to enhance capacity and operational efficiency to sustain the double-digit growth seen in specific zones and commodities.
**Industrial and Agricultural Sectors (Steel, Cement, Fertilizer)**
**Impact**
These sectors are increasingly reliant on rail-based transportation for bulk commodities, benefiting from a cost-effective and reliable logistics partner.
**Action Required**
Maintain coordination with Railways to leverage the increased wagon availability and capacity for transporting raw materials and finished goods.
**General Public and Commuters**
**Impact**
Commuters benefited from expanded mobility and accessible transport, as evidenced by the increase to 741 crore passengers carried.
**Action Required**
No specific action is required from commuters, though the data suggests continued high demand for rail-based travel services.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian Railways: The national rail operator of India, which reported record achievements in passenger traffic (741 crore) and cargo transport (1670 MT) for the 2025–26 fiscal year.
Ministry of Railways: The primary government ministry responsible for the administration and performance reporting of the national railway network.
Ashwini Vaishnaw: The Union Minister of Railways, credited with overseeing the record-breaking freight and passenger performance.
South Western, North Central, East Coast, and West Central Railway Zones: The specific operational divisions of Indian Railways that led national growth by registering double-digit increases in freight loading.
Ministry of Railways
Railways Sets New Record in Passenger Traffic
as well as Cargo Transport in 2025–26
Indian Railways Carries 741 Crore Passengers this Year; Up
3.54% from Previous Year
Passenger Revenue Rises 5.96% as Indian Railways Boosts
Earnings from ₹75,500 Crore in 2024-25 to ₹80,000 Crore in
2025–26
With 3.25% Higher Freight Loading, Railways Carries Record
1670 Million Tonnes Cargo
More than 13% Surge each in Both Fertiliser and ‘PI & Steel’
Transportation Drives The Impressive Growth
Iron Ore Transportation Up by 6.74%; Cement by 4.74%
South Western Railway, North Central Railway, East Coast
Railway, and West Central Railway Zones Lead the
Impressive Performance by Registering Double Digit Growth
in Freight Loading
Posted On: 01 APR 2026 4:20PM by PIB Delhi
Indian Railways has achieved significant milestones in both passenger operations and freight during
2025–26, setting new records in cargo transport while also reporting robust growth in passenger traffic and
revenue. These achievements reflect sustained improvements in operational efficiency, capacity
enhancement, and the growing reliance on rail-based transportation by both key sectors of the economy
and everyday commuters. Together, they underscore Railways’ pivotal role as a backbone of the nation’s
logistics network and a provider of safe, reliable, and accessible mobility for citizens across the country.
Increased Passenger Traffic and Revenue Growth
Indian Railways has reported robust growth in passenger traffic and revenue for the fiscal year. The total
number of passengers carried rose to 741 crore in 2025–26, a 3.54% increase over 716 crore in 2024–25,
reflecting sustained growth in rail usage across the country. Correspondingly, total revenue reachedapproximately ₹80,000 crore in 2025–26, marking a 5.96% increase from ₹75,500 crore in 2024–25,
driven by strong passenger traffic and earnings. These figures underscore Indian Railways’ expanding role
in passenger mobility and its improving financial performance year-on-year.
Freight Growth Highlights Increasing Logistics Demand
During 2025–26, Indian Railways carried a record 1670 Million Tonnes (MT) of freight, registering a
growth of 3.25% over the previous year. This strong performance was complemented by a 4.56% increase
in the number of wagons handled, which rose from 2,79,12,271 in 2024–25 to 2,91,86,475 in 2025–26.
The steady rise in freight loading highlights the increasing demand for reliable, cost-effective, and
efficient logistics solutions, positioning Railways as a preferred mode of transport for bulk commodities.
रकॉड 1,670 मलयन मीक टन का काग रल व े ने इस साल अचीव कया ह : माननीय रल मंी @As
hwiniVaishnaw जी pic.twitter.com/gfwNv54aiO
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) April 1, 2026
Fertilisers, Pig Iron, and Finished Steel Drive Impressive Growth
The growth has been largely driven by key sectors such as Fertilisers (13.49%), ‘Pig Iron and Steel’
(13.11%). This reflects both the rising demand for agricultural inputs across regions and the continued
expansion of industrial activity, particularly in the steel sector.Iron Ore and Cement Sustain Infrastructure Momentum
Core infrastructure commodities have also played a crucial role in sustaining this momentum. Iron Ore
transportation increased by 6.74%, reaching 190.12 MT, while Cement loading grew by 4.74% to 157.17
MT. These trends indicate ongoing infrastructure development and construction activity across the
country, where Railways continues to serve as a vital logistics partner.Balanced Growth Across Railway Zones
Zone-wise loading performance during 2025–26 reflects broad-based growth across several regions, with
South Western Railway (SWR) recording the highest increase of 14.89% over the previous year. Other
zones demonstrating strong double-digit growth include North Central Railway (NCR) at 12.62%, East
Coast Railway (ECoR) at 10.42%, and West Central Railway (WCR) at 10.06%. Additional zones that
registered positive growth include Eastern Railway (ER) (0.78%), East Central Railway (ECR) (0.39%),
North Eastern Railway (NER) (0.25%), Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) (6.75%), North Western
Railway (NWR) (5.17%), South Central Railway (SCR) (2.59%), South East Central Railway (SECR)
(3.18%), Southern Railway (SR) (1.10%), and Western Railway (WR) (3.57%). This widespread
improvement across zones highlights balanced regional development and enhanced freight handling
capacity across the Indian Railways network.
Strong Growth in Freight Earnings
In addition to strong loading performance, Indian Railways has also registered robust freight earnings, which
have reached approximately ₹1,77,754 crore in 2025–26, reflecting a 1.44% increase over ₹1,75,302 crore in
2024–25. Among commodities, Iron Ore emerged as the highest revenue contributor with earnings of
₹14,600.51 crore, followed by Cement (₹13,599 crore), Pig Iron & Finished Steel (₹12,181 crore), Fertilisers
(₹9,039 crore), Food Grains (₹8,312.5 crore), and Mineral Oil (₹7,249.54 crore).
Railways Continues to Drive Growth and ConnectivityBuilding on its achievements in freight, Indian Railways has also seen sustained growth in passenger
traffic and revenue, reflecting its expanding role in providing reliable and efficient mobility across the
country. This consistent performance underscores Railways’ pivotal contribution to the nation’s economic
development, enhancing connectivity, reducing logistics costs, and supporting a more sustainable and
efficient transport ecosystem.
*****
Dharmendra Tewari/ Dr. Nayan Solanki/ Ritu Raj/ Ruchika
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