Railway Board (Commercial)
Commercial Circular No. 03 of 2026
Vande Bharat Sleeper Fare Notification
Vande Bharat Sleeper Fare Structure 2026: 1AC, 2AC & 3AC Rates (Official)
- Status: Rates Notified
- Authority: Railway Board (Passenger Marketing)
- Ref No: Commercial Circular No. 03 of 2026
- LTC Impact: Allowed (Subject to Dynamic Limits)
What Changed: The Rajdhani Successor
The Railway Board has officially released the fare structure for the much-awaited Vande Bharat Sleeper trains via Commercial Circular No. 03 of 2026. Unlike the Chair Car version, this train is designed for long-distance overnight journeys (e.g., Delhi-Mumbai, Delhi-Howrah). The base fare has been pegged slightly higher than the existing Rajdhani Express to account for better amenities and faster travel time.
✅ Official Orders Issued
Authority: Railway Board (Order No. CC 03/2026)
Subject: Fare structure of Vande Bharat Sleeper Express (AC 1, AC 2 & AC 3 Tiers).
The New Protocol: Fare Breakdown
The ticket cost is not a single figure. It is a composite of several charges. For Central Government employees booking via LTC, knowing the “Base Fare” is critical as catering charges are often not reimbursable under certain interpretations unless included in the ticket.
✔ Fare Components
- Base Fare: Approx 1.1x of Rajdhani Base Fare.
- Reservation Fee: Standard Superfast Rate.
- Superfast Charge: Applicable.
- GST: 5% on Total Fare.
✖ Optional Charges
- Catering: Optional at the time of booking (Pre-paid meals).
- Dynamic Pricing: Applicable (Flexi-fare system similar to Rajdhani).
Calculated Fare Table (Delhi – Mumbai Approx)
The following table provides an estimated breakdown based on the pricing logic defined in Circular 03/2026 for a distance of approximately 1,400 km.
| Class | Rajdhani Fare (Old) | Vande Bharat Sleeper (New) | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| AC 3 Tier (3A) | ₹2,800 | ₹3,150 | ~12% |
| AC 2 Tier (2A) | ₹3,900 | ₹4,350 | ~11% |
| AC 1st (1A) | ₹6,700 | ₹7,400 | ~10% |
LTC Rules for Vande Bharat Sleeper
Government employees intending to use LTC for these trains must note the following reimbursement rules:
- Entitlement: Employees entitled to travel by Air or 1AC/2AC/3AC can book this train.
- Dynamic Pricing Warning: If the ticket is bought under “Flexi-fare” (where price increases with demand), the reimbursement is usually limited to the Base Fare + Fixed Charges. The “Dynamic/Surge” portion might not be fully reimbursed depending on your department’s specific audit rules. However, generally, for Rajdhani/Vande Bharat, the full ticket printed price is reimbursed.
- Food: Catering charges are reimbursable only if they are compulsorily included in the ticket. Since Vande Bharat offers optional catering, you may have to pay for food from your daily allowance (DA) rather than the ticket reimbursement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is catering mandatory in Vande Bharat Sleeper?
No. As per the new circular, catering is optional. You can choose “No Food” at the time of booking to save money. If you opt for food, the charges will be added to the ticket.
Can I claim Vande Bharat Sleeper fare on LTC?
Yes. Since it is a notified train service by Indian Railways, it is valid for LTC. However, ensure you book according to your Pay Level entitlement (e.g., Level 6 and above for AC 2 Tier).