Understanding the new IRCTC rules
Indian Railways is raising ticket prices starting July 1, marking the first hike since 2020.
AC tickets on Mail/Express trains will now cost two paise more per km, and non-AC classes go up by one paisa per km.
If you're traveling second class for up to 500km, your fare stays the same—only longer trips see an increase.
Changes in reservation system
Long-distance fares are going up depending on how far you travel, including on Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains (but reservation fees aren't changing).
Reservation charts will now be made eight hours before departure—double the previous window—to help those on waiting lists.
Plus, from July 15, booking Tatkal tickets will need Aadhaar verification and OTP authentication, making things a bit more secure and transparent.
Agents also can't book Tatkal tickets in the first half hour after bookings open.