Indian Railways Train ticket booking from 10 May 2025 Many of the rules of Big changes Have done The purpose of these new rules to the passengers Better convenience, transparency and security Have to give Over the years Increasing crowd in train ticket booking, waiting list problems and brokers Passengers had to face a lot of problems due to the rigging of. Now the Railways has made the booking system stronger and easy keeping these challenges in mind.
Now it has become necessary for every passenger to know the new rules of ticket booking, so that there is no problem during the journey. Whether you book tickets online, take Tatkal tickets or buy tickets from the counter, these rules will affect everyone. These changes have changed the method of ticket booking, waiting list status, refund process and fine system.
Let’s know, came into force from 10 May 2025 New rules of train ticket booking What are they, what will be their effect on your journey, and who will get the real benefit of them.
New Railway Ticket Rules 2025
Indian Railways has made several significant changes in the rules of train ticket booking since 10 May 2025, keeping in mind the convenience, safety and transparency of passengers. These changes have a direct impact on ticket booking methods, waiting list, immediate booking, refund, and fine system.
Main objective of rules
- Passengers relieve the problem of congestion and waiting list
- Increase transparency and safety in ticket booking
- Ban on brokers and fake booking
- Promoting digital and online booking
New rules
| Name of Rules/Scheme | Details/changes |
|---|---|
| Date of implementation | 10 May 2025 |
| Waiting list ticket rules | No travel in Sleeper/AC on waiting tickets, only travel possible in general coach |
| Advanced Reservation Period (ARP) | 60 days (earlier 120 days) |
| OTP Verification | Mobile otp required on every online booking |
| Tatkal booking timing | AC: 10:10 am, Sleeper: 11:10 pm |
| Digital ticket recognition | Tickets shown on mobile/laptop are also valid |
| ID proof mandatory | ID proof required at the time of every booking |
| Refund process | Refund in 2 days |
| Service charge | Increased, up to ₹ 20- ₹ 600 on Tatkal |
| Fine system | Fine on being caught in a reserve coach on waiting ticket: Sleeper ₹ 250, AC ₹ 440 |
| Dynamic pricing | Applicable in premium trains |
New rules for waiting list ticket booking
Since 10 May 2025, the biggest change has come for the waiting list tickets. Now if you have waiting tickets, you cannot travel in Sleeper or AC coach. You are only allowed to travel in General (Unreserved) coaches.
- If a passenger is caught by taking a waiting ticket to the reserve coach (Sleeper/AC), then he will be fined:
- Sleeper Class: Fine up to ₹ 250
- AC Class: Fine up to ₹ 440
- TTE has been given strict instructions not to allow waiting tickets to travel in the reserve coach. You can also take off the next station if caught.
Who benefits from this?
- Confirm tickets will get relief from the crowd.
- Unauthorized journey on waiting tickets will be banned.
- Those traveling in general coaches will get more seats.
Changes in advance train ticket booking period
The first passengers could book tickets till 120 days ago, but now this period has been reduced to 60 days.
- Now you can book tickets just 2 months before your journey.
- This will prevent black marketing and fake booking of tickets.
- Passengers will increase the chances of getting tickets at the last moment.
OTP verification required in online ticket booking
Now at the time of every online ticket booking, mobile OTP verification has been made necessary.
- While booking the ticket, OTP will come on your registered mobile number, the ticket will not be booked without registering it.
- This will prevent fake booking and rigging of brokers.
- Identification and security of passengers will be strengthened.
New rules of TATKAL Ticket Booking
Many changes have also been made in Tatkal ticket booking.
- Tatkal ticket booking for AC coach will start at 10:10 am.
- Tatkal ticket booking for Sleeper Coach will start at 11:10 am.
- Aadhaar verification is now necessary for TATKAL ticket booking.
- The first 30 -minute stop on agent booking, so that common passengers get priority.
- No refund will be available on Tatkal ticket now, except the train cancell or late 3 hours.
Digital tickets and id proof rules
- Now digital tickets shown on mobile or laptop will also be valid.
- It is necessary to show ID proof at the time of every ticket booking.
- It is mandatory to keep ID proof with you even during the journey.
Change in ticket refund and service charge
- Refund will be available within 2 days on canceling the ticket.
- Service charges have been increased; The charge on Tatkal ticket can range from ₹ 20 to ₹ 600.
- Charges for superfast trains have increased from ₹ 20 to ₹ 100.
Dynamic pricing and other changes
- Dynamic pricing has been applied in premium trains, that is, the fare may increase or decrease according to the demand.
- The luggage limit has been fixed: 40kg in Sleeper, 70kg in AC First Class. More goods will be charged 6 times.
Advantages and disadvantages of new rules
Advantage
- Confirm tickets relief from crowds.
- Transparency and security in ticket booking.
- Ban on brokers and fake booking.
- Option to travel to those waiting in general coach.
Loss
- Waiting tickets are not the option of traveling in Sleeper/AC.
- Long planning is difficult due to reduced advance booking period.
- Digital process has illiterate or rural passengers.
- No refund on TATKAL ticket.
Necessary suggestions for passengers
- Be sure to check PNR status before traveling.
- Enter the correct mobile number at the time of online ticket booking.
- Keep ID proof together during the journey.
- Do not travel in reserve coach on waiting tickets.
- Take care of luggage limit.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q1. Can you now travel in Sleeper or AC coach on waiting tickets?
No, now travel can be done only in general coaches on waiting tickets.
Q2. How many days before can you book tickets?
Now only 60 days ago ticket booking is possible.
Q3. What is necessary for online ticket booking?
Mobile OTP verification is necessary every time.
Q4. Will you get a refund on TATKAL ticket or not?
Refund will be available only if the train cancell or late more than 3 hours.
Q5. How much will the fine take if the reserve was caught in the coach on the waiting ticket?
Sleeper will take ₹ 250, AC will be fined up to ₹ 440.
conclusion
The new ticket booking rules of the railway, which came into force from 10 May 2025, have been designed to increase the convenience, safety and transparency of the passengers. They will get relief from the crowd to the confirmed tickets, the fraud will stop in the ticket booking and those who wait in the general coach will get the option to travel. However, some passengers may face trouble due to lack of traveling in Sleeper/AC on waiting tickets, but these changes in the long term will make the railway journey more secure and easier.
Disclaimer: This article has been written on the basis of media reports available on new train ticket booking rules implemented by the Railways since 10 May 2025 and official updates of the Railways. These rules are real and have been implemented by Indian Railways. Passengers are advised to confirm the rules from the official website of the railway or the nearest railway station before the journey. Railway can change the rules from time to time, so always be updated.
