The Railways Ministry on Wednesday released the revised Tatkal ticket fares that will come into effect from 25 December. The government has hiked the charges to improve passenger revenue collections.

However, there is no hike in the tatkal charges for second (sitting) class and it remains same at Rs 10 as minimum and Rs 15 as maximum charges.

The hike in both minimum and maximum tatkal charges is evident for the air-conditioned (AC) class, particularly for Executive class and AC-2 tier. The Ministry has hiked the charges in the two classes by Rs 100.

The minimum tatkal charge for AC-2 tier has been increased from Rs 300 to Rs 400, while the maximum tatkal charge is now Rs 500 instead of Rs 400. The passengers who want to travel in the Executive class will now have to shell out Rs 400 instead of Rs 300 (minimum) and Rs 500 instead of Rs 400 (maximum).

For AC-3 tier, the minimum charge has been hiked from 250 to Rs 300 and maximum from Rs . Rs 350 to Rs 400. There is Rs 25 hike for AC chair car. Minimum charge has been increased from Rs 100 to Rs 125 and maximum from Rs 200 to Rs 225.

The sleeper class minimum price has been hiked from Rs 90 to Rs 100 and maximum from Rs 175 to Rs 200. 

The minimum and maximum tatkal charges depend on the travelling distance.

The fresh hike in the fares comes days after the Ministry scrapped the half-fare ticket system for children in the age group of 5 to 12 years if they are travelling in reserved class, according to PTI.

Children in this age group will be charged full adult fare if berth/seat is sought at the time of reservation. If berth/seat is not booked, they will be charged half the adult fare.

The changes in children's fare will be implemented from April next year.