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From July 1, 2025, Indian Railways is implementing three major changes that will directly impact passengers—particularly in terms of ticket prices and the booking process. Two of these changes will be enforced from July 1, while the third will be implemented on July 15. These updates include fare hikes, stricter Tatkal ticket rules, and mandatory Aadhaar verification.

If you’re planning to travel by train in July or later, here’s everything you need to know to avoid last-minute surprises.

🚆 Rule 1: Train Fares to Increase from July 1

Indian Railways is set to revise ticket fares, resulting in a slight increase in travel costs across all classes. Here's how the fare structure will change:

🔹 AC Classes

• Fare Increase: ₹0.02 per kilometer

• Example: A 3AC journey from Bhopal to Delhi (700 km) currently costs ₹1,090.
  From July 1, this fare will rise by ₹14 to ₹1,104.

🔹 Sleeper Class

• Fare Increase: ₹0.01 per kilometer

• Example: A Sleeper Class trip on Kamayani Express from Varanasi to Mumbai (1,500 km) currently costs ₹575.
  Post-change, the fare will be ₹590.

🔹 2S (Second Sitting)

• Fare Increase: ₹0.005 per kilometer

• Example: For a 2S seat on Vivek Express from Bhubaneswar to Kanyakumari (2,180 km), you’ll pay around ₹11 more.

These revisions aim to improve revenue generation for infrastructure and services, while keeping the overall hike moderate and structured.

🔐 Rule 2: Aadhaar Now Mandatory for Tatkal Bookings (Effective July 1)

Starting July 1, 2025, Aadhaar verification will be compulsory for booking Tatkal tickets on the IRCTC portal. Only those IRCTC users whose accounts are linked and verified with Aadhaar will be allowed to book Tatkal tickets.

This move is aimed at preventing fraudulent bookings and ensuring that only genuine passengers access the Tatkal system.

📲 Rule 3: OTP-Based Verification for Tatkal Tickets (Effective July 15)

From July 15, 2025, Indian Railways will roll out an additional security layer for Tatkal ticket bookings. While booking:

• An OTP (One-Time Password) will be sent to the mobile number linked with the passenger’s Aadhaar.

• The ticket will not be booked unless this OTP is entered correctly during the transaction.

This system is designed to:

• Stop ticket hoarding and black marketing

• Prevent misuse by travel agents and booking bots

• Ensure that emergency travelers get priority during Tatkal bookings

❓ Why Are These Changes Important?

Indian Railways is introducing these changes to create a more transparent, secure, and fair ticketing system. Here are the key objectives:

• Curb misuse of Tatkal booking system by agents and bots

• Ensure timely ticket access to genuine passengers, especially during emergencies

• Enhance digital security through Aadhaar and OTP-based authentication

• Generate additional revenue through small fare adjustments

🧾 Key Takeaways for Passengers

🚨 What Should You Do?

To avoid booking issues or last-minute fare surprises:

• Update your IRCTC profile with Aadhaar and verify your account

• Ensure your mobile number is linked with Aadhaar

• Check new fares before planning long-distance travel

• Be aware that Tatkal bookings may take slightly longer due to the added security step

🔚 Final Thoughts

The upcoming changes in Indian Railways rules from July 2025 reflect the organization's focus on digitization, security, and service quality. While the fare increase is marginal, the Aadhaar-based authentication for Tatkal tickets is a significant move toward making the booking process fairer and fraud-free.

If you travel frequently by train or rely on Tatkal bookings, now is the time to prepare—link your Aadhaar, update your contact information, and familiarize yourself with the new rules.