Indian Railways is set to introduce a significant change to train classifications and numbering from January 1, 2027. Eighteen services listed by Northern Railway will move from the superfast category
to the regular express category, with revised train numbers coming into effect on the same date.
The change is expected to bring relief to passengers as the additional superfast surcharge will no longer apply to these services. Several routes connecting Delhi, Bihar, Punjab and Uttarakhand will be affected, making it important for passengers to check the revised numbers before booking journeys in the new year.
The affected services include trains operating between Tanakpur and Delhi, Dehradun and Kathgodam, Moradabad and Ramnagar, Darbhanga and Jalandhar City, Muzaffarpur and Anand Vihar Terminal, among other routes.
Why Are 18 Trains Losing Their Superfast Status?
Under Railway Board guidelines, a broad-gauge train must maintain an average speed of at least 55 kmph across its entire journey to qualify for superfast classification. The calculation takes into account the total distance travelled and the overall journey time, with the average speed assessed in both directions.
A review of the services has found that the average speeds of the 18 trains have fallen below the prescribed benchmark. Consequently, Northern Railway has decided to reclassify them as non-superfast trains and allot new numbers.
Train speeds can be affected by several operational factors, including additional stoppages, congestion on busy railway routes and longer halts. These factors can increase overall journey time and bring down a train’s average speed, even when its maximum permitted speed remains unchanged.
Superfast Surcharge To Be Removed: How Much Can Passengers Save?
Passengers travelling on superfast trains pay an additional surcharge over and above the basic ticket fare. Once the affected services move to the regular express category, this superfast charge will no longer be applicable.
The fare reduction will depend on the travel class. Based on the surcharge rates provided for the affected services, the expected savings are:
| Travel Class | Superfast Surcharge Relief |
|---|---|
| Sleeper Class | Rs 30 |
| AC 3-Tier | Rs 45 |
| AC 3-Tier Economy | Rs 45 |
| AC 2-Tier | Rs 45 |
| AC Chair Car | Rs 45 |
| First AC | Rs 75 |
| Executive Class | Rs 75 |
The reduction represents the removal of the superfast surcharge, rather than a change in the basic fare. The final amount payable will continue to depend on the applicable fare and other charges.
Full List Of 18 Trains Losing Superfast Status From January 1
Northern Railway has published the revised numbers for all 18 services. Both directions of the nine train pairs are included in the change.
| Train Route | Old Number | New Number |
|---|---|---|
| Tanakpur – Delhi Junction | 12035 | 15317 |
| Delhi Junction – Tanakpur | 12036 | 15318 |
| Dehradun – Kathgodam | 12091 | 15315 |
| Kathgodam – Dehradun | 12092 | 15316 |
| Moradabad – Ramnagar | 25013 | 15313 |
| Ramnagar – Moradabad | 25014 | 15314 |
| Moradabad – Ramnagar | 25035 | 15335 |
| Ramnagar – Moradabad | 25036 | 15336 |
| Islampur – New Delhi | 20801 | 18633 |
| New Delhi – Islampur | 20802 | 18634 |
| Darbhanga – Jalandhar City | 22551 | 15541 |
| Jalandhar City – Darbhanga | 22552 | 15542 |
| Patliputra – Chandigarh | 22355 | 13255 |
| Chandigarh – Patliputra | 22356 | 13256 |
| Muzaffarpur – Anand Vihar Terminal | 12557 | 15577 |
| Anand Vihar Terminal – Muzaffarpur | 12558 | 15578 |
| Rajgir – New Delhi | 12391 | 13291 |
| New Delhi – Rajgir | 12392 | 13292 |
All the revised numbers in this list will take effect from January 1, 2027.
Karnataka-Linked Trains Also Get New Numbers From January 2027
Additionally, South Western Railway announced train-number changes affecting services connected to Karnataka. These revisions will come into effect on different dates in January.
One of the prominent changes concerns the Mysuru-KSR Bengaluru-Belagavi Vishwamanava Express. Its existing numbers, 20676 and 20675, will be replaced by 16275 and 16276, respectively, from January 1. The service will also lose its superfast classification. Other services, including the Malgudi Daily Express, the Tirupati-SMVT Bengaluru Express and the Garib Rath Express connecting Mumbai with Thiruvananthapuram, will also receive revised numbers.
These changes should be distinguished from the Northern Railway reclassification: a new number by itself does not mean that a train has lost its superfast status.
| Train Route | Old Number | New Number | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mysuru – Belagavi Vishwamanava Express | 20676 | 16275 | January 1 |
| Belagavi – Mysuru Vishwamanava Express | 20675 | 16276 | January 1 |
| Yeshwantpur – Thiruvananthapuram Central Express | 12257 | 16537 | January 3 |
| Thiruvananthapuram North – Yeshwantpur Express | 12258 | 16538 | January 4 |
| Ashokapuram – KSR Bengaluru Malgudi Daily Express | 20623 | 16123 | January 1 |
| KSR Bengaluru – Ashokapuram Malgudi Daily Express | 20624 | 16124 | January 1 |
| Tirupati – SMVT Bengaluru Express | 22617 | 16627 | January 1 |
| SMVT Bengaluru – Tirupati Express | 22618 | 16628 | January 2 |
| Lokmanya Tilak Terminus – Thiruvananthapuram North Garib Rath Express | 12201 | 16371 | January 1 |
| Thiruvananthapuram North – Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Garib Rath Express | 12202 | 16372 | January 3 |
| Vasco da Gama – Hazrat Nizamuddin Express | 12779 | 17379 | January 1 |
| Hazrat Nizamuddin – Vasco da Gama Express | 12780 | 17380 | January 1 |
The Garib Rath services operate via Karwar, Udupi and Mangaluru Junction, making the revised numbers relevant to passengers travelling along the coastal Karnataka route as well.
What Passengers From Delhi, Bihar, Punjab And Uttarakhand Should Know
The Northern Railway changes will affect passengers travelling on several busy routes connecting the national capital with destinations in Bihar, Punjab and Uttarakhand. Travellers using the Tanakpur-Delhi, Dehradun-Kathgodam, Muzaffarpur-Anand Vihar Terminal and Rajgir-New Delhi services should take particular note of the revised numbers.
Passengers booking tickets for journeys from January 1, 2027, should search using the new train numbers. Those checking older schedules or saved travel details should also verify whether the service has been renumbered.
For the Karnataka-linked services, passengers must pay attention to the individual implementation dates, as not all revisions begin on January 1.
Why Does Indian Railways Review Train Classifications?
Indian Railways periodically reviews train performance, including average speed and punctuality, as part of its timetable and operational assessments. The superfast classification is linked to the prescribed average-speed threshold, not simply the maximum speed a train can attain.
Additional stops, congestion and operational constraints can affect the time taken to complete a journey. If a train no longer meets the required average-speed benchmark, its classification and corresponding number may be revised.
Passengers are advised to check the National Train Enquiry System (NTES), the official railway reservation platform or call 139 for the latest train numbers and journey information before travelling.
