India is well-known for its rich culture, traditions, delicious food, and colorful festivals, but one of its standout features is the Indian Railways. Often referred to as the lifeline of the country, it has an extensive network of trains that connect people across various regions. If you’re someone who frequently travels by train, there’s an important update you should be aware of.
Starting from May 1, 2025, new rules will be in place regarding passengers holding waiting list tickets. Under the new guidelines, those with waiting list tickets will be allowed to board trains in General or Unreserved coaches. This means that passengers cannot travel in Sleeper or AC coaches if they are on the waiting list. If someone rides in these coaches with a waiting ticket, they may face a hefty fine or be asked to leave the train.
Indian Railways Has Also Announced Updates For Tatkal Booking
Besides this, previously, train tickets could be booked up to 120 days in advance, but this has now been shortened to 60 days. This change aims to reduce complications when booking tickets and alleviate lengthy waiting lists.
Indian Railways has also updated rules for Tatkal tickets. Beginning May 1, it will be mandatory to verify your Aadhaar identity when booking Tatkal tickets. Also, you must note that there will be no refunds for confirmed Tatkal tickets. Also, to give regular travelers priority, bookings through agents will be blocked for the first 30 minutes.
Lastly, there have also been updates to pricing for some services. The reservation fees will increase from Rs 20 to Rs 60 to now ranging of Rs 30 to Rs 80. Similarly, the charges for superfast trains will rise from Rs 15 to Rs 75, now set between Rs 20 to Rs 100. Tatkal ticket prices will also see a hike, moving from Rs 10 to Rs 500, to a new range of Rs 20 to Rs 600.
