In today’s time, Indian Railways is the most reliable means of traveling millions of people every day. Railways keep changing their rules for the convenience and safety of passengers from time to time. In the year 2025, the Railways has implemented 5 new rules for passengers, which can completely change your train travel experience. The purpose of these changes is to make ticket booking easier, increase food quality, and make travel more secure.
Many times passengers had to face difficulties about ticket booking, waiting list, tatkal tickets, food and general tickets. Realizing these problems, the Railways has made some necessary changes. Now changes in waiting tickets, ticket booking periods, food services, tatkal tickets and general ticket rules have come into force. Every passenger should be aware of these new rules, so that your next journey can avoid trouble and you can prepare in time.
Indian Railways New Rules 2025: Overview Table
| Name of rules | New change/rule |
| Waiting ticket rules | Now not traveling on waiting tickets in sleeper/AC coach, only valid in general coach |
| Ticket booking period | Reduced from 120 days to 60 days |
| catering service | Can buy food in train even without booking |
| General ticket rules | Now travel only in specified train, 3 hours validity |
| Tatkal ticket booking | Booking from Aadhaar card mandatory, dynamic pricing applicable |
| Dining menu performance | Performance of menu and prices in every train is necessary |
| Refund/cancellation policy | 50% refund on waiting ticket after chart is made, no refund on confirmed ticket |
| Identity card | The same identity card is required at the time of ticket booking and at the time of travel |
Indian Railways New Rules 2025: What is changed?
Indian Railways has made several major changes in 2025 to control passengers and control the congestion in trains. These changes are especially related to ticket booking, waiting tickets, food, general tickets and tatkal tickets.
New rule on waiting ticket
- Now you cannot travel in sleeper or AC coach on waiting tickets.
- The waiting ticket will be valid only in the General (Annorable) coach.
- If a passenger is caught in a sleeper or AC coach with a waiting ticket, he would have to pay a heavy fine.
- Traveling in AC coach may be fined up to Rs 440 and sleeper coach up to Rs 250.
- This will make the ticket booking process transparent and there will be correct allocation of seats.
Change in ticket booking period
- The first Advance Reservation Period (ARP) was 120 days, now it has been reduced to 60 days.
- This means that now you can book tickets just 60 days before your journey.
- This will reduce fake booking and “no-show” passengers.
- The chances of getting tickets to real passengers will increase.
Food Service in Train
- Now food can also be purchased in Vande Bharat and other trains without booking.
- Passengers can take both Ready-to-Eat and cooked food.
- It is mandatory to showcase the menu and rate card of food in every train.
- Railways have paid special attention to the quality of food and hygiene.
Change in general ticket rules
- Now the general ticket holders will have to travel only in the train for which the ticket has been taken.
- The validity of the General Ticket will now be for only 3 hours.
- This will bring transparency in the crowd control and ticketing process.
Tatkal Ticket Booking New Rules
- Aadhaar card verification has been made mandatory for TATKAL ticket booking.
- Dynamic pricing has been applied, ie the ticket price may be up and down according to demand and time.
- Booking time slots have been fixed according to the coach (10 am for AC, 11 am for Non-A).
- Agents cannot book for 15 minutes before opening the window to control booking.
- The cancellation and refund policy has also been changed.
Impact of new railway rules
These changes will have many benefits to passengers:
- Chance of getting confirmed tickets will increase
- Ticket booking process will be easier and transparent
- Fake booking and brokerage will be banned
- There will be transparency in food quality and prices
- Crowd control and correct allocation of seats will be possible
- Real needy passengers will get priority in TATKAL Ticket
List of 5 new rules of Railways (Bullet Points)
- Waiting tickets now only valid in general coach
- Ticket booking period reduced from 120 days to 60 days
- Food menu and rate card required in every train
- General Tickets only specified trains and for 3 hours
- Aadhaar card compulsory and dynamic pricing for TATKAL Ticket Booking
Tatkal Ticket Booking 2025: New System
| Coach category | Booking time | Immediate fee | Maximum rent |
| Sleeper (SL) | 1 day ago | ₹ 100 – ₹ 200 | ₹ 600 |
| 3AC | 1 day ago | ₹ 300 – ₹ 400 | ₹ 1,400 |
| 2ac | 1 day ago | ₹ 400 – ₹ 500 | ₹ 2,000 |
| Chair Car (CC) | 1 day ago | ₹ 125 – ₹ 200 | ₹ 900 |
- Aadhaar card verification is now necessary for TATKAL ticket booking
- Agent booking window will start 15 minutes after opening
- Refund will not be available on confirmed Tatkal ticket
- 50% refund will be available on waiting tickets (after charts)
Food menu display in train
- It is necessary to show up the food menu and prices in every train clearly
- Passengers can buy food without booking
- You will get both ready-to-set and cooked food
- Railways special attention to food quality and hygiene
Necessary things for railway ticket booking
- Give the same identity card at the time of ticket booking, which you have at the time of travel
- Book tickets on time, because now the booking period is only 60 days
- For TATKAL Ticket at 10 am (AC) and 11 am (Non-A) be ready
- Read the cancellation and refund policy carefully
- Use IRCTC website or mobile app
Advantage and disadvantage of new railway rules
| advantage | Loss |
| More likely to get confirmed tickets | Trouble for waiting tickets |
| Transparency in food quality and price | Ticket booking period decreased |
| Ban on fake booking | Tatkal tickets can be expensive |
| Crowd control | Limited of general ticket validity |
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q1. Can you now travel in sleeper or AC coach on waiting tickets?
No, now waiting tickets are valid only in general coaches. Caught in a sleeper or AC coach will be fined.
Q2. What is the new period of ticket booking?
Now you can book tickets just 60 days before the journey.
Q3. What has changed in TATKAL Ticket Booking?
Now Aadhaar card is necessary for TATKAL ticket, dynamic pricing is applicable and refund policy has changed.
Q4. What is new in food service?
Now food can be purchased without booking, and it is necessary to show the menu-rate card in every train.
Q5. What is the new rule of general ticket?
Now the general ticket is valid for only 3 hours in the same train.
conclusion
These new 5 rules of Indian Railways have been implemented for the convenience, safety and transparency of passengers. With these changes, the process of ticket booking, food, tatkal tickets and general tickets has become easier and clear than before. If you are also thinking of traveling by train, then make your plan only keeping these new rules in mind, so that your journey is comfortable and trouble free.
Disclaimer:
This information is based on the new Railway rules implemented in 2025. The railway keeps changing the rules from time to time, so before the journey, take the latest information from the official website of IRCTC or Railways. This article is only for general information, contact the railway helpline number or website for any type of official information.
