Indian Railways Overhauls Ticketing System with Tech Upgrades, Aadhaar-Based Tatkal, and Fare Revisions

In a major push to modernise its ticketing infrastructure and enhance passenger convenience, Indian Railways is introducing a host of reforms in its reservation system. These changes, set to roll out in phases beginning July 1, aim to streamline bookings, improve transparency, and boost revenue through technological upgrades and revised fare structures.

Revamped Reservation System 

Indian Railways is advancing the timing of train chart preparation to eight hours before departure, providing greater clarity for waitlisted passengers. Additionally, the maximum waiting list quota for AC coaches has been raised from 25% to 60% to accommodate more passengers.

A key technological leap will come with the rollout of a Modern Passenger Reservation System (PRS) by December 2025. Developed by the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS), this new system will boost booking capacity from 32,000 to over 1.5 lakh tickets per minute. Similarly, the enquiry system will be upgraded to handle more than 40 lakh queries per minute, dramatically improving access to real-time information.

From July 1, Aadhaar authentication will become mandatory for Tatkal bookings. This is part of the broader digitisation initiative as Indian Railways prepares to serve 7.57 billion passengers in FY26, up from 7.27 billion in FY25.

Fare Revision for Long-Distance Travel

Beginning July 1, Indian Railways will implement a fare hike for journeys exceeding 500 km. Second-class fares will increase by 0.5 paisa per kilometre, mail express fares by 1 paisa, and AC class fares by 2 paisa per km. However, fares for suburban trains and monthly season tickets will remain unchanged.

For instance, a 3AC ticket on the Delhi-Howrah route currently costs around ₹1.13 per km. The new rates will only apply to tickets booked on or after July 1. This move supports the ministry’s FY26 revenue target of ₹92,800 crore, up from ₹80,000 crore in FY25, as reported by Economic Times.

Read More: No More Tatkal Ticket Manipulation: Indian Railways To Launch e-Aadhaar Authentication for Tatkal Bookings!

Conclusion

Indian Railways' latest set of reforms signals a strong commitment to passenger-centric innovation and fiscal discipline. With upgraded systems, early charting, Aadhaar-based Tatkal bookings, and strategic fare adjustments, the national transporter is laying the groundwork for a smarter and more efficient travel experience.

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