Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Budget 2026 on February 1, 2026. Senior citizens have high hopes from this budget. Elderly passengers are particularly watching the government’s decisions closely.
Indian Railways increased train fares starting December 26, 2025. This has made senior citizens worry that their travel will become even more expensive. Conditions have returned to normal after COVID, but one key facility has not come back yet.
Before COVID, senior citizens used to get concessions on railway tickets. This benefit was removed during the COVID period. It has not been restarted since then. Senior citizens hope that the budget will announce the return of this concession.
Details of the Railway Fare Increase
Railways decided to raise fares for journeys longer than 215 kilometers. In the general category, passengers now pay 1 paisa extra per kilometer.
For mail and express trains in non-AC and AC categories, the extra charge is 2 paise per kilometer. Railways estimates this change will bring in about 600 crore rupees in additional revenue.
This increase directly affects passengers, especially the elderly. Their travel costs will go up further.
Here is a table showing the fare hike details:
| Category | Distance | Extra Charge per Kilometer |
|---|---|---|
| General Category | Over 215 km | 1 paisa |
| Mail/Express (Non-AC and AC) | Over 215 km | 2 paise |
The new rates apply from December 26, 2025. Long-distance trips have become costlier because of this.
The Old Concession for Senior Citizens
Before the pandemic, elderly passengers received good discounts on train tickets. This helped them travel at lower costs, especially for long journeys.
The concession was stopped temporarily during COVID. The government said it would review the matter once things normalized. However, the benefit has not returned so far.
Senior citizens have been requesting its restoration for a long time. They want a decision in the budget. If the concession comes back, travel will become easier and cheaper for them.
Many elderly people travel to meet family or for pilgrimages. The lack of discount has made these trips harder on their pockets.
Why Senior Citizens Have High Expectations from the Budget
The recent fare hike has added to the concerns of senior citizens. Their travel expenses have already risen without the concession.
They hope the Finance Minister will address this issue. Restoring the old benefit would provide relief to millions of elderly passengers.
Railways raised fares to increase revenue. But senior citizens feel their previous facility should return. Everyone is waiting to see if the budget brings any announcement on this.
The concession was a major support for the elderly before COVID. Its absence has been felt more now with higher fares.
Conclusion
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present Budget 2026 on February 1, 2026. Senior citizens hope the railway ticket concession removed during COVID will be restored.
Railways increased fares from December 26, 2025, for journeys over 215 km, expecting 600 crore rupees extra revenue. This hike will make travel costlier for the elderly. Going forward, the budget announcement will clarify if the concession returns. Senior citizens are awaiting this decision.