Indian Railways has announced the launch of Amrit Bharat II Express trains from January 2026, introducing updated fare and ticketing norms that differ from earlier services. The Railway Board has rolled out these changes as part of an effort to improve affordability, transparency and passenger experience across long-distance connectivity while retaining the simplicity of conventional fare structures.
No RAC Tickets In Sleeper Class
One of the key updates for Amrit Bharat II Express services is the abolition of RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) tickets in the Sleeper class. Under the revised rules:
- No RAC berths will be issued for Sleeper class travel.
- All available berths will be fully confirmed from the beginning of the Advance Reservation Period (ARP).
- Standard quotas like Ladies, Persons with Disabilities (PwD) and Senior Citizen quotas will continue, but no additional reservation quotas will apply in Sleeper class.
This change aims to eliminate partial reservations that often leave passengers uncertain about seating and aims to streamline booking and allocation.
New Minimum Fare Structure
Indian Railways has also revised minimum fare rules for Amrit Bharat II Express tickets. As per the Railway Board’s instructions:
- Sleeper class travellers must pay for a minimum chargeable distance of 200 km, even if their journey is shorter; the minimum base fare for this category is ₹149 for up to 200 km.
- Second class passengers have a minimum fare based on 50 km, with a base fare of ₹36 for that distance.
- Other applicable charges — such as reservation fee, superfast surcharge and GST — will be added separately at booking.
These minimum chargeable distances were introduced to rationalise pricing and help ensure financial sustainability for extended operations while keeping fares affordable for everyday travellers.
Revised Ticketing And Refund Policies
The fare structure changes are paired with updated ticketing rules designed to benefit passengers and improve ease of refunds:
- For reserved tickets, digital payments are preferred to allow refunds to be initiated within 24 hours of cancellation.
- If passengers cannot pay digitally at a counter, refunds will be processed under normal refund terms.
- Existing provisions for unreserved Second class travel remain unchanged.
Passenger Preference Features
The Railway Board has also implemented a lower-berth allocation policy to make journeys more comfortable for vulnerable passengers:
- Children not requiring separate berths, senior citizens, and women aged 45 and above will, wherever possible, be assigned lower berths automatically.
- This reflects growing emphasis on passenger-friendly amenities even in non-premium services.
Modern Affordable Connectivity
The Amrit Bharat family — now expanded with the new Amrit Bharat II Express category — continues Railways’ focus on modern, inclusive and affordable long-distance travel. These trains will provide standard sleeper and second class connectivity with transparent pricing, eliminating elements like dynamic pricing that can increase cost uncertainty. Fares for these services generally work out at around ₹500 per 1,000 km for long-distance travel, making them accessible for everyday travellers.
Overall, the 2026 rollout marks a significant shift in how Indian Railways structures fares and reservations for its long-distance network, prioritising clarity and traveller convenience.
