IRCTC Child Ticket Rules 2025 | Child Train Ticket Rules 2025
Train Fare For Child Below 12 Years 2025
Child Train Ticket Rule
- Children under the age of 5 are free on all types of trains. If the child’s age fee is more than half of the adult fee (5 to 12 years), you are asking for a dedicated berth, in which case the full adult fee must be paid and this only applies to the reserved class.
- There is no change in the rule for child fare of unreserved tickets i.e. fare for children of 5-12 years for unreserved tickets shall continue to be half of the adult fare subject to the minimum distance for charging.
Ministry of Railways has decided to revise the child fare rule. Under the revised provision, full adult fare will be charged for children of age 5 years and under 12 years of age if for whom full separate berth / seat (in reserved class) is sought at the time of reservation. However, in case full separate berth / seat is not sought for the children of age 5 years and under 12 years of age at the time of reservation, then half of the adult fare shall continue to be charged subject to the minimum distance for charging.
This revised child fare rule has been made applicable for travel from 21st April, 2016 onwards. Advance booking of reserved tickets for children under this revised rule has already started in December 2015 for journey date of 21st April, 2016 onwards.
While filling up reservation form, the passenger can indicate their option for requirement of full berth / seat for child or not.
There is no change in the rule for child fare of unreserved tickets i.e. fare for children of 5-12 years for unreserved tickets shall continue to be half of the adult fare subject to the minimum distance for charging.
Children under five years of age will continue to be carried free (without berth) in case of both reserved and unreserved classes.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
RAILWAY BOARD
Master Commercial Circular no 12 of 2025
No/TC-II/ 2910 / 2016/ child fare/ VIP
New Delhi, dated 06.03.2025
The Pr. Chief Commercial Managers,
All Zonal Railways
Sub: Fare for children.
Ref: 1. Rule no. 211 of IRCA Coaching Tariff no. 26 Part I (Vol 1).
2. Commercial Circular No. 71 of 2025 dated 02.12.2025.
3. Commercial Circular No, 30 of 2025 dated 24.04,2025.
4. Commercial Circular No, 60 of 201.8 dated 23.10.2025
5. Board’s letter of even no. dated 09.12.2025.
In continuation of all above instructions issued on child fare, Ministry of Railways have decided to issue consolidated instructions on child fare as under:
- Age of Child: Child below 5 years of age
- Class of travel: Both reserved and unreserved
- Applicable fare: Children under five years of age shall be carried free & purchase of any ticket is not required. However, if berth / seat shall be sought on voluntary basis for children of age below 5 years then ticket shall be issued as under: 1. Full adult fare shall be charged. 2. Divyangjan (children) as per Railway, rule shall be eligible for concession on adult fare.
- Age of Child: Children of age 5 years to below 12 years
- Class of travel: Reserved accommodation (except sitting) if berth is sought
- Applicable fare: In case of children of age 5 years to under 12 years of age for whom full berth (in Reserved class) is sought at the time of reservation, full adult fare for such children shall be charged” (CC 71 of 2025 dated 02.12.2015).
- Age of Child: Children of age 5 years to below 12 years
- Class of travel: If berth is not sought (NOSB)
- Applicable fare: If no berth is opted for., the’ children of age 5 years to under 12 years of age ‘at the time of reservation in such cases only half of the applicable adult fare shall be charged and in this case minimum distance of charge shall not be applicable.” (CC 30 of 2025 dated 24.04.2025).
- Age of Child: Children of age 5 years to below 12 years
- Class of travel: Reserved sitting accommodation
- Applicable fare: In reserved sitting accommodation, full adult fare shall be applicable. “Child NOSB (no seat option) booking shall not be. permitted in CC, EC, 2S, BA etc classes” (CC 60 of 2025 dated 23.10.2025),
- Age of Child: Children of age 5 years to below 12 years
- Class of travel: Unreserved accommodation
- Applicable fare: In unreserved classes, for children of age 5 years to below 12 years’ of age, half of adult fare shall be applicable subject to minimum distance for charge. (CC 71 of 2025 dated 02.12.2025),
- Age of Child: Children 12 years & above
- Class of travel: All classes
- Applicable fare: “Passengers of 12 years and above shall be charged full fare” (Rule 211 of IRCA Coaching Tariff no. 26 Part I Vol(I))
Other conditions:
1. In case of NOSB tickets, tickets for unreserved class etc., for child where half of the adult fare is applicable the same shall be applicable on the basic fare. Other charges like superfast charges, catering charges, GST etc, if applicable shall be levied in full. (Para no. 101 (3) (e) of IRC A coaching Tariff no. 26 Part 1 (Vol II)).
2. Single child or group of children without adult attendant, shall be allowed only in case berths are opted with full fare”. However, tickets for children will be issued with no berth option by linking the PNR of parents / guardians / attendants subject to certain conditions issued vide CC No, 60 of 2025 dated 23.10.2025 which is enclosed at Annexure-I.
3. Other relevant clarifications issued vide this office letter no. No.TC II/2910 / 98/ child fare dated 09.12.2025 is enclosed at Annexure-II.
4. This issues with the concurrence of Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.
5. Necessary instructions may be issued to all concerned.
(Shelly Srivastava)
Director Passenger Marketing Railway
SOURCE: https://indianrailways.gov.in/
Here’s the updated official guidance on IRCTC/Indian Railways child ticket rules for 2025:
Contents
Child Ticket Fare Rules (Effective from April 21, 2025)
1. Children Under 5 Years
- Travel is free across all classes (reserved and unreserved), without a berth.
- If you require a separate berth or seat—whether in chair car or reserved class—you must pay full adult fare.
2. Children Aged 5 to Under 12 Years
- A ticket is mandatory.
- Half adult fare applies if no berth/seat is opted for, subject to minimum distance fare rules.
- If you choose a separate berth or seat, you must pay full adult fare.
3. Children 12 Years & Above
- Treated as adults in the ticketing system—full fare applies, with berth or seat as per standard reservation practices.
Quick Reference Table
| Child Age Group | Ticket Required? | Seat/Berth Option? | Applicable Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below 5 years | No ticket required | No berth | Free |
<5 years + berth desired |
Yes | Yes | Full adult fare |
| 5–11.99 years | Yes | Optional | Half fare (no berth) |
| 5–11.99 years + berth | Yes | Yes | Full adult fare |
| ≥12 years | Yes | Yes | Full adult fare |
Important Booking Notes
- Online booking systems (like IRCTC portal) now prompt users for whether they want a berth for children aged 5–11. This determines whether half or full fare is applied.
- For unreserved travel, half fare for those aged 5–11 continues to apply when no seat is exclusively reserved.
Traveler Community Insights
- Families traveling with infants (under 5 and not booked explicitly) often do not face issues during travel—even when the child’s name is omitted from the ticket. Most Train Ticket Examiners do not question this, especially if no fare concession has been availed.
Final Takeaway
- Under 5 years: No ticket needed unless you want a berth (in which case full fare applies).
- 5–11.99 years: Must pay—half fare without berth, or full fare if a berth is chosen.
- 12 years and up: No child concession; pay full fare like any adult passenger.
Need help calculating fares for a family trip or navigating IRCTC’s booking interface for child travelers? Just let me know—I’d be happy to assist!