Indian Railways reported steady growth in FY2025–26, with passenger numbers rising to 741 crore and revenue increasing to around ₹80,000 crore.
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PTI
Indian Railways on Tuesday reported growth in both passenger traffic and revenue during the financial year 2025–26, alongside achieving higher freight movement.
According to the Ministry of Railways, the railways carried a total of 741 crore passengers in 2025–26, a 3.54 per cent increase from 716 crore in 2024–25.
Besides, total revenue from passenger operations rose to approximately ₹80,000 crore in 2025–26, up 5.96 per cent from ₹75,500 crore in the previous financial year.
Operational efficiency and demand drive growth
Furthermore, improvements in operational efficiency and capacity enhancement were cited as reasons for the increase in both passenger volumes and revenue.
Additionally, the growing reliance on rail-based transportation by key sectors of the economy and daily commuters supported demand across the network.
Moreover, the railways stated that these trends reflect their ongoing role in providing accessible mobility and supporting the country’s logistics network.
Freight movement hits record levels
Notably, during 2025–26, Indian Railways carried a record 1670 million tonnes (MT) of freight, registering a 3.25 per cent growth over the previous year.
Strong freight earnings across key commodities
In addition to strong loading performance, Indian Railways registered robust freight earnings of approximately ₹1,77,754 crore in 2025–26, a 1.44 per cent increase over ₹1,75,302 crore in 2024–25.
Among commodities, iron ore emerged as the highest revenue contributor with earnings of ₹14,600.51 crore, followed by cement (₹13,599 crore), pig iron and finished steel (₹12,181 crore), fertilisers (₹9,039 crore), food grains (₹8,312.5 crore), and mineral oil (₹7,249.54 crore).
Published on April 1, 2026
