Indian Railways Notifies Fare Structure for Vande Bharat Sleeper Express

Indian Railways has officially notified the fare structure for the upcoming Vande Bharat Sleeper Express, marking a major step towards the introduction of high-speed, modern overnight trains on the national network. The decision has been communicated through a commercial circular issued by the Railway Board.

The Vande Bharat Sleeper Express is designed to offer faster travel, improved comfort, modern facilities and enhanced safety features, catering especially to long-distance overnight passengers.

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Three Travel Classes Notified

According to the circular, the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express will have the following three classes of accommodation:

• 1AC (First AC)
• 2AC (Second AC)
• 3AC (Third AC)

The basic fares for all three classes have been finalised and enclosed with the circular. These fares are all-inclusive, meaning that no additional charges will be levied under normal circumstances.

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Key Fare and Reservation Conditions

To ensure clarity for passengers, Indian Railways has laid down several important conditions:

• Minimum chargeable distance: 400 km
• Goods and Services Tax (GST): Applicable separately, as per rules
• Rounding off of fares: Will follow existing railway principles
• Confirmed tickets only: RAC and waitlisted tickets will not be issued for this train
• Advance Reservation Period (ARP): All available berths can be booked from the date ARP opens

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Reservation Quotas Applicable

Only limited reservation quotas will be applicable on the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express:

• Ladies quota
• Lower berth quota
• Persons with Disabilities (PwD) quota
• Senior Citizen quota
• Duty Pass quota

No other reservation quotas will be permitted on this train, as per the instructions.

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Concessions and Pass Rules

• Normal railway concessions will not apply
• Concessional tickets and free passes that are not reimbursable are not allowed
• Duty Pass eligibility for Railway employees remains as per Rajdhani-type train rules

This positions the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express closer to premium long-distance trains in terms of fare and entitlement structure.

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Passenger-Friendly Features

The circular also highlights several passenger-friendly provisions:

• Digital payments only for ticket purchases to enable quicker refunds
• Refunds can be initiated within 24 hours of cancellation
• If payment was made in cash at booking counters, refunds will be processed against cancellation
• Automatic lower berth allocation for:
  • Male passengers aged 60 years and above
  • Female passengers aged 45 years and above (subject to availability and compatibility)

Additionally, if a passenger is travelling with a child and a separate berth is not booked for the child, the system may automatically allot a lower berth where feasible.

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Software and Operational Readiness

Indian Railways has instructed all zones to:

• Make necessary software changes in reservation systems
• Ensure staff awareness and readiness before the introduction of services
• Acknowledge receipt of the circular and follow further instructions available on the official Indian Railways website

The circular has been issued with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.

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What This Means for Passengers

With the notification of fares and conditions, the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express is a step closer to becoming operational. The train is expected to redefine overnight rail travel in India, offering a faster and more premium alternative to existing long-distance sleeper services.

Passengers can expect transparent fares, confirmed berths, and modern onboard experience, aligning with Indian Railways’ broader push towards next-generation train services.

View Circular for full list of fares: