Indian Railways has implemented a second passenger fare increase this fiscal year, effective December 26, aiming to enhance operational efficiency. While fares for AC and non-AC mail/express trains will rise by 2 paise/km and ordinary trains by 1 paisa/km for longer journeys, suburban and monthly tickets remain unchanged. The move is expected to generate an additional ₹600 crore for FY26, but analysts question if it will significantly address deep-seated financial imbalances, as over 60% of revenue comes from freight.