Indian Railways notifies minor fare hike: New ticket prices effective July 1, 2025
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
According to the Ministry of Railways, the adjustment aims to improve service sustainability and simplify fare calculations. The revised structure follows the updated Passenger Fare Table from the Indian Railway Conference Association (IRCA).
The new fares shall be effective for tickets purchased from July 1, 2025. Previously issued tickets will maintain their original fares without adjustments. The PRS, UTS and manual ticketing platforms are undergoing necessary updates.
Also Read |
New Indian Railways Train Fares: Top Points
Suburban journey fares and season tickets remain unchanged for both suburban and non-suburban routes.
For Regular Non-AC Classes (Non-suburban trains):
* Second Class: Half paisa per kilometre increase with specific conditions:
No changes for journeys up to 500 kilometres
Rs 5 hike for 501-1500 kms travel
Rs 10 hike for 1501-2500 kms travel
Rs 15 hike for 2501-3000 kms travel
*Sleeper Class: Hike of 0.5 paisa per kilometre
*First Class: Hike of 0.5 paisa per kilometre
For Non-AC Mail/Express Services:
Second Class: A rise of 01 paisa for each kilometre
Sleeper Class: An increase of 01 paisa per kilometre
First Class: Additional 01 paisa charged per kilometre
AC Categories in Mail/Express trains:
All air-conditioned classes including Chair Car, 3-Tier/3-Economy, 2-Tier, and First/Executive Class/Executive Anubhuti: Hike by 02 paisa per kilometre
The revised fares are applicable to all premium and special services, including Vande Bharat, Tejas, Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto, Humsafar, Amrit Bharat, Gatimaan, Mahamana, Jan Shatabdi, Yuva Express, Antyodaya, AC Vistadome coaches, Anubhuti coaches, and regular non-suburban services, following the updated class-specific fare framework.
Also Read |
Ancillary Charges Remain Constant:
* Reservation fees, superfast surcharges, and additional charges stay the same.
* GST application continues according to current regulations.
* Existing fare rounding guidelines remain in effect.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
6 minutes ago
- News18
The High Cost Of 10-Minute Convenience: How E-Commerce Is Squeezing India's Small Entrepreneurs
Both new and old players are flouting the laws, and despite policymakers being aware of these illegal activities, they have been slow to act and level the playing field. Across India's cities and towns, e-commerce and 'quick commerce' platforms are revolutionising traditional retail, threatening the livelihoods of millions of small shopkeepers, entrepreneurs, street vendors, and local manufacturers. The unfortunate aspect is that both new and old players are achieving this by flouting the laws, and despite policymakers being aware of these illegal activities, they have been slow to act and level the playing field. Over the past decade, giants like Amazon and Walmart-owned Flipkart have reshaped Indian retail through immense scale, aggressive discounting, and complex seller networks. Consumers have benefited from low prices and a vast selection online, but local producers and shopkeepers have suffered. Walmart, notorious for its impact on the US economy by driving down prices and destroying both manufacturing and small businesses, found a way into Indian retail through e-commerce after its initial entry was blocked. The current homelessness and opioid crisis in the US can be traced back to job losses or jobless growth. Similar destruction of small businesses and entrepreneurship is unfolding rapidly in India, creating the same conditions. Industry estimates suggest that up to 70 per cent of the items sold on Amazon and Flipkart are of Chinese origin, indicating that India's e-commerce boom has favored cheap imports over domestic manufacturing. These imports are routed through companies owned and operated by e-commerce giants in countries like Singapore to exploit FTA and tax rules. Despite the Indian government being aware, there is no action to prevent this, including enforcing rules for disclosing the origin of products on their websites. From toys to electronics, the influx of low-cost Chinese goods has made it tough for Indian MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises) to compete, even in categories where local industry once thrived. A detailed 2024 study by the Global Trade Research Initiative found that Chinese imports have captured over 52% of India's toy market (despite high import tariffs) and majority shares in products like umbrellas, leather goods, and glassware, displacing many local producers. Domestic manufacturers are not benefiting from the e-commerce surge, as consumers often prefer the cheaper, mass-produced imports available online. This challenge is compounded by the way major e-commerce marketplaces operate through 'preferred sellers" and exclusive partnerships, creating roadblocks for smaller sellers. Investigations by India's antitrust regulators have shown that Amazon and Flipkart favor a small group of large sellers on their platforms, granting them better search placement, lower fees, and other advantages. Just 35 sellers out of Amazon India's 400,000+ sellers account for two-thirds of all sales, with Amazon's joint-venture sellers (Cloudtail and Appario) making up 35 per cent of sales alone. Ordinary merchants are 'mere database entries," as described by Competition Commission of India (CCI) investigators. This preferential treatment enables predatory pricing strategies – popular products are sold at or below cost by the favored sellers, supported by the deep pockets of the platforms. An antitrust report in 2024 found that Amazon and Flipkart had indeed violated competition laws by using preferential listings and selling goods below cost (especially mobile phones) to capture market share, which had a 'catastrophic impact on the existing competition in the market." These tactics were noted across many product lines, drawing shoppers away from small shops to online platforms, where independent sellers couldn't match the prices. The 'Amazon effect" – as fearful shopkeepers call it – means local electronics or book stores watch customers browse, then order the same items online at heavy markdowns that small retailers can't afford to offer. A typical Indian kirana (neighbourhood grocery) store offers a wide variety of goods. These family-run shops – numbering in the millions – are the backbone of India's retail economy. They now struggle to compete with the deep discounts and home-delivery convenience offered by e-commerce giants. India has failed to implement its FDI (foreign direct investment) rules, which aim to prevent foreign e-commerce firms from stocking inventory or controlling prices directly. As a result, these platforms use the 'marketplace" model to circumvent the rules. By 2020, the Commerce Ministry was alarmed that Chinese goods dominated online sales and that platforms might be circumventing rules through preferred seller arrangements. 'We have received suggestions… our priority is to cut unnecessary imports and boost local manufacturing," an official said as the government mandated country-of-origin labels on e-commerce products in 2020. The intention was to inform consumers that their online bargains were often imports, encouraging them to consider Indian-made alternatives. However, this has not been enforced, and platforms have avoided compliance, with no action taken by the Consumer Protection Authority. Commerce and Trade Minister Piyush Goyal has publicly criticised the e-commerce giants, noting that the 'massive growth of e-commerce is not a matter of pride but a matter of concern." He highlighted the imbalance where traditional small traders, a pillar of India's economy and the BJP's political base, are struggling against Walmart and Amazon-funded giants. Goyal called out e-commerce platforms' strategy of using large investments to finance sustained losses to wipe out competition. Now, quick commerce players are doing the same, affecting street vendors who supply vegetables and small household items. Flouting Rules, Violating Safety And Quality Norms Crucially, the 'dark store" model of quick commerce, enabling 10-minute delivery, is breaking all the rules. These small warehouses, located in residential neighborhoods to be closer to customers, violate zoning laws for warehouses and commercial establishments. They establish themselves as shops but operate as warehouses, creating traffic problems with swarms of delivery bikes in narrow lanes. Residents in some cities have protested the noise, traffic, and safety hazards from these 24/7 mini-warehouses. Despite this blatant flouting of zoning laws, state governments' urban affairs ministries have not taken any action. While the police and municipal corporations are active in evicting street vendors, they have done nothing against quick commerce entities destroying other entrepreneurs. Regulators have found safety and quality violations behind the scenes. In recent months, Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted surprise inspections of quick-commerce storage facilities and found disturbing lapses. Blinkit's dark store in Pune's Balewadi had its food business license suspended after officials found food safety violations, including expired products and hygiene issues. In Mumbai's Dharavi area, a Zepto dark store had its license suspended due to expired goods, fungal growth on food items, and unsanitary storage conditions. (The license was later reinstated after Zepto claimed to fix the issues.) However, the FSSAI, the national regulatory body for food and licensing, has never questioned how fresh food is being stored and distributed from warehouses masquerading as shops, or how these entities openly flout the laws for shops and warehouses. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) raided Amazon warehouses in March this year and seized hundreds of products (toys, appliances, cables) lacking the required ISI safety certification. Despite finding non-certified products, no action has been taken against the organisation, with the onus conveniently passed on to the vendors by the platforms. There are institutional gaps and complicity that need to be investigated suo motu. Regulatory scrutiny must focus on the larger problem: some of the cost-cutting and hyper-growth tactics by online platforms may bypass quality and safety norms that brick-and-mortar businesses must follow. After five years, and with billions of dollars in trade already done, the Competition Commission of India released its investigation report in September 2024, explicitly stating that by giving preferential treatment and discounts to select sellers, Amazon and Flipkart harmed countless small retailers. It likened their deep discounting to an unfair trade practice foreclosing competition. The report found all allegations of anti-competitive conduct to be true. However, since that report, no action has been taken as all petitions and cases have been transferred to the Karnataka High Court. Now, the platform and regulators play a cat-and-mouse game in court, with the legal fraternity showing little concern for the economy, entrepreneurship, or jobs. How can the playing field be leveled? Policymakers need to recognise the limitations of current laws and act collectively. Raids and investigations might appease the media but do not change the behaviour of these platforms on the ground. It's surprising that a system designed to prevent such issues is being exploited by smart lawyers and public affairs professionals on these platforms to undermine the Indian economy. There is no innovation in these digital shops; delivering something in 10 minutes is convenient but lacks innovation. Significant capital is being invested in solving a problem that isn't worth solving. Burning capital is not innovation; it's the destruction of capital and economic ecosystems, leading to joblessness. Hence, these entities should not be viewed as technology companies or innovators, even by the courts. There is no balance to be achieved in protecting them; instead, there is job destruction. Policymakers and courts should ensure a level playing field for the smallest entrepreneurs. The first step in avoiding further capital dumping is to enforce existing laws, ensuring compliance with foreign investment rules (preventing platforms from secretly controlling inventory via proxies) and consumer protection rules (mandating origin labeling and product safety certification online). Secondly, policymakers should stop delaying the Digital Competition Act (or 'Digital India Act") to address anti-competitive conduct by Big Tech and online marketplaces. Lobbying has delayed this bill for over five years, and it is urgent that it be passed immediately. Thirdly, several government ministries, including Commerce and Consumer Affairs, have formed a panel (as of August 2024) to assess the impact of rapid delivery services on small shopkeepers. The outcomes and proposed actions of this panel must be shared with the public. If the panel has not proposed anything, it should be dismantled. Fourthly, the government must revive and clean up the board and management structure of the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). Envisioned to bring millions of kirana stores and small sellers online on a neutral platform, breaking global platforms' dominance, ONDC aims to integrate 30 million sellers and 10 million small merchants. In practical terms, the platform has gaps, especially in attracting buyers. Policy makers have also shied away from using policy to make ONDC attractive to consumers. The failure of ONDC is real and present, and action is needed to prevent its complete shutdown. Fifth, India's policymakers must finalize the long-pending National E-commerce Policy, addressing grey areas like flash sales, data use, seller parity, and more. This policy should explicitly protect domestic manufacturers and traders by mandating transparency in search algorithms and strengthening local sourcing norms. Sixth, state and city administrations must regulate the physical footprint of quick commerce. Requiring dark stores to obtain commercial licenses, adhere to zoning laws, and comply with all safety and food standards, with stringent penalties for violators, is crucial. Quick-commerce players should not externalize the costs of their speed race into residential neighborhoods, creating traffic snarls or compromising safety. City councils and resident welfare associations should engage in dialogues with these companies to designate suitable locations for fulfillment centers and establish guidelines, such as limiting late-night operations in residential areas. Seventh, industry self-regulation and consumer awareness are essential. Companies like Amazon, Flipkart, Blinkit, and Zepto must realize that long-term prosperity comes from coexisting with the ecosystem, not cannibalizing it. Responsible business practices are crucial. A 'winner takes all' and 'kill all the competition' approach will not ensure long-term survival in India, as consumers will eventually reject them. top videos View all Eighth, consumers wield power here. Shoppers should understand the diversity of marketplaces and choose to support local businesses. It might be worth walking to the kirana instead of ordering bread online, or buying Diwali gifts from a local artisan, despite the inconvenience compared to one-click purchases. Each such choice sends a signal. Public opinion can push platforms to change – for example, after outcry over working conditions and reckless delivery promises, some quick-commerce firms dropped the '10-minute" claim to reduce pressure on workers. A similar push could discourage predatory pricing if consumers make it clear they care about the origin of products and who benefits. K Yatish Rajawat is a public policy researcher and works at the Gurugram-based think tank Centre for Innovation in Public Policy (CIPP). Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. tags : e-commerce Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 02, 2025, 16:37 IST News opinion Opinion | The High Cost Of 10-Minute Convenience: How E-Commerce Is Squeezing India's Small Entrepreneurs
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
6 minutes ago
- Business Standard
RDI scheme a major boost for R&D and deep-tech in India: Industry
The approval of the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) scheme by the Union Cabinet on Tuesday, with a corpus of Rs 1 trillion, is being seen as a major boost to research and development and deep-tech investment in India. Industry players and associations welcomed the announcement as a step in the right direction. India's R&D investment has long been a concern, with the country allocating only about 0.64 per cent of its GDP—significantly lower than the 2–5 per cent invested by countries such as the US, Japan and China. Many hope India will also attempt what China did in 2008 under its 'Thousand Talent Plan' to attract talent back to the country. The programme aimed to bring researchers and entrepreneurs home to contribute to the scientific and technological journey. 'The wish from industry is for the Fund to provide grants for research and fund the commercialisation of innovation. A scheme to attract global Indian talent and allow them to set up labs in India will be a critical factor for success. This will allow equity capital to follow and fuel the commercialisation of Indian innovation,' said Siddarth Pai, founding partner, 3One4 Capital. He added that India's innate talent requires infrastructure and policy support to thrive and move up the value chain. 'A single-window clearance for labs and import of equipment will be crucial to create this ecosystem,' he said. The scheme, announced in the July 2024 Budget, has excited the industry because of the two-tiered financing structure it proposes. Funds will flow through a 50-year, interest-free loan to the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), chaired by the Prime Minister. The ANRF will then offer long-term concessional loans to second-level fund managers such as alternative investment funds, development finance institutions and non-banking financial companies. These, in turn, will finance individual projects. Anjali Bansal, founding partner of Avaana Capital, said this was a much-awaited move: 'Deep-tech ventures have longer gestation periods, complex technical risks, and often don't align with traditional venture capital timelines. India needs a broader spectrum of financing instruments—early catalytic capital, innovation-linked debt, and blended finance models that allow commercial investors to participate as the companies scale. The challenge lies in balancing long-term investments in deep tech with short-term economic gains. Patient capital, combined with strong technical and business teams focused on fundamental unit economics, can build a scaled business and deliver outsized returns over time.' Pai said a significant aspect of the special-purpose fund was that it enables the government to deploy capital through special purpose vehicles, AIFs and other instruments in collaboration with the private sector. 'This marks a strategic shift, recognising that industry has a better grasp of emerging technology needs,' he said. He added that the fund-of-funds model has worked well in developing the startup ecosystem in India. 'The same model lends itself to fuelling innovation with the government as a partner.' While the scheme's structure has been announced, the industry is now awaiting finer details—including the criteria for fund allocation and the timeline for disbursement. Ajai Chowdhry, founder of HCL and chairman of the EPIC Foundation, said the fund would also enable translational research by the private sector. 'Typically, under the ANRF, technical and research institutions will take innovation up to TRL-4 (technology readiness level). The private sector—both corporates and startups—can then take it to TRL-9 for India and the world,' he said. Industry players also raised concerns over the composition of the ANRF's governing board. Several told Business Standard that a board comprising only bureaucrats could derail the initiative. 'Ideally, people with global experience or those currently building products or services should be part of the board. This will be key. A board made up only of academics or bureaucrats will not help,' said a senior executive at a venture capital firm. According to the details released on Tuesday, the ANRF's governing board will provide overall strategic direction to the RDI scheme, while its executive council will recommend guidelines for the scheme and second-level fund managers, as well as define the scope and types of projects in sunrise sectors. Changes to the scheme, sectors or project types—as well as changes to second-level fund managers—will be approved by an empowered group of secretaries led by the Cabinet Secretary, the statement said.
India Today
10 minutes ago
- India Today
From 47% to 78% in 4 years: MBA employability rises with skill-focused curriculum
Once criticised for producing degree-holders with limited practical application, India's MBA education sector is now enjoying a remarkable transformation. Backed by data, industry demand, and updated pedagogy, MBA graduates are now more employable and relevant than ever India, employability among MBA graduates has risen sharply to 78% in 2025, up from 47% in 2021, according to Statista from Wheebox's India Skills Report 2025 and GMAC's 2024 Prospective Students Survey confirm the shift, hiring managers now actively seek MBA graduates with digital fluency, leadership potential, and According to IIM Sambalpur Director Prof Mahadeo Jaiswal, 97% of Indian employers are willing to pay more for candidates with micro-credentials, especially in generative AI and LEARNING IS THE NEW NORMIndian B-schools have overhauled their approach in response to a shifting job market. Institutions like SP Jain Global, IIM Sambalpur, BIMTECH, and Badruka School of Management are embedding AI-powered decision-making, data storytelling, sustainability, and cross-cultural leadership into their MBA Christopher Abraham of SP Jain notes, 'We no longer just teach AI -- we integrate it into learning paths, personalised mentorship, and real-world simulation exercises.' Students now graduate equipped to automate workflows, build predictive models, and apply AI across DEGREE-NEXTHiring needs have evolved. Today, recruiters care less about the name of the institution and more about the functional skills and emotional intelligence of Siddharth Anand, CEO of Tertiary Education Advisors, puts it: 'The MBA graduate who can speak the language of both Excel and empathy is the one who stands out'.This reflects in how MBA programmes now offer courses in ESG strategy, public governance, behavioural economics, and human-centric leadership. Business schools are creating labs for digital transformation, experiential entrepreneurship, and consulting case competitions to help students master practical CLASSROOM TO BOARDROOM: CURRICULAR CHANGESHere's how B-schools are rethinking the MBA journey:Live business simulations and startup incubators—e.g., IIM Sambalpur's I-Hub and Rangavati CentreBlockchain and fintech labs like BIMTECH's 'BIMCOIN' initiative for applied finance learningAI-integrated learning assistants at SP JainRural immersion and sustainability projects for ground-level exposureInterdisciplinary pathways such as BS in Management and Public Policy feeding into MBA tracksAs per Dr Pankaj Priya of BIMTECH, the key shift is in pedagogy: 'From traditional models, we have moved to lab-based learning, career mapping through AI, and psychometric profiling to align strengths with career paths'.STRONG PLACEMENT RECORDS AND FUTURE READINESSIIM Sambalpur reported 100% placements in 2024, with a 21% year-on-year increase in placement value. Recruiters from consulting, BFSI, FMCG, and IT sectors are actively hiring MBA grads who can navigate uncertainty and use digital tools in platforms like GMAC indicate a sharp rise in global recognition of Indian MBA talent, with students eyeing international internships and hybrid work opportunities. MBA students trained in storytelling, negotiation, and personal branding are especially in demand.A SHIFT IN MINDSET: THE INNER MBAWhile technical and analytical skills are crucial, leading B-schools are also focusing on the 'Inner MBA' -- emotional resilience, ethical judgement, and influence. Through structured coaching, case discussions, and workshops, students learn to lead with purpose and build clarity in Anand sums it up: 'We aren't just giving them skills -- we're changing the way they perceive their own potential and their role in the world of work'.FUTURE-READY, TODAYThe rise in employability is not accidental -- it's the result of deliberate reform, collaboration with industry, and a greater understanding of what the market demands. With India poised to become a USD 5 trillion economy, the demand for MBA graduates equipped with adaptive, ethical, and technical prowess is only expected to MBA has come a long way in India -- from being a credential to becoming a powerful launchpad to leadership, innovation, and purpose-driven success.- Ends
