New railway rules from July 1: What should passengers know?

The Hindu

7 hours ago

The Ministry of Railways will implement a set of key changes to its passenger booking system from July 1, marking a significant shift in reservation protocols, charting timelines, ticketing security, and fare structures. Officials recently announced plans to hike specific fares. Moreover, passengers should be aware that Aadhaar-based OTP verification will become mandatory for Tatkal ticket bookings as of July 1, 2025.
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Here are the significant changes passengers can expect starting July 1
AC waiting list cap increased from 25% to 60%: The cap on waiting list tickets for air-conditioned coaches has been raised to 60% of total berths, up from the 25% limit imposed earlier this month. The decision comes after passenger inconvenience and underutilisation of capacity were reported by zonal railways. Non-AC waiting list fixed at 30%: For non-AC sleepers and second-class coaches, the waiting list cap has been revised to 30% of total berth capacity. This balances demand while ensuring availability in the most heavily used segments. First reservation chart to be prepared 8 hours before departure: In a significant procedural shift, the first reservation chart will now be issued eight hours before train departure instead of the previous window of around four hours. This change is already being piloted on select trains and is now being extended more broadly. Aadhaar mandatory for Tatkal bookings: Starting July 1, all Tatkal bookings, online or at PRS counters, must be made using an Aadhaar-linked user ID. From July 15, an OTP sent to the passenger's Aadhaar-linked mobile number will also be mandatory to complete the booking. Agents restricted from Tatkal bookings for the first 30 minutes: To reduce bulk-booking and prioritise individual passengers, agents will be barred from booking Tatkal tickets for the first 30 minutes after the window opens each day. Minor fare hike on long-distance routes: The Railways have also announced a nominal fare increase—the first since 2020. Fares for non-AC Mail/Express trains will rise by ₹0.01 per kilometre, while AC fares will increase by ₹0.02 per kilometre. Suburban fares, tickets under 500 km in second class, and monthly season passes remain unchanged.
With these changes, the Railway Ministry aims to streamline bookings, ensure more equitable access to high-demand tickets, and prepare for the transition to a more robust, digital-first reservation ecosystem. Officials stated that all zonal railways and ticketing partners have been instructed to implement the changes uniformly as of July 1.