New Delhi, Dec. 28 -- Indian Railways has implemented a nationwide second fare revision for long-distance travel in 2025, effective December 26. The move follows a similar increase in July, bringing to an end a five-year period of fare stability that had lasted since January 2020.

While the hikes appear modest when measured per kilometre, their impact is concentrated on sleeper and second-class passengers, who account for over 70% of railway travel in India and are typically from lower-income groups.

Under the latest fare structure, fares on mail and express trains have risen by 2 paise per kilometre for both AC and non-AC classes. Second-class passengers on ordinary trains travelling more than 215 kilometre (km) will now pay an additio...