Archive · 13 Jan 2026
Railways Declare Fare Calculation a Trade Secret
The Indian Railways told the Central Information Commission that how they calculate train ticket prices is a secret.
They said this information is protected because it's like a special recipe that helps them make money.
The Railways also said they have to take care of people's needs, not just make profits.
A person asked for this secret information using a law called the Right to Information Act, but the Railways said no.
The person then appealed, but the CIC agreed with the Railways and didn't make them share the secret.
The Railways also said they already shared all the information they could.
Indian Railways declared its fare calculation method a trade secret.
The Railways cited Section 8 of the RTI Act to protect the information.
The CIC dismissed an appeal seeking detailed fare calculation information.
Railways argued that disclosure isn't in public interest as profits benefit the common man.
The CIC noted that the Railways had already provided all disclosable information.
- Who
- Indian Railways and Central Information Commission (CIC)
- What
- Railways' fare calculation method declared a trade secret
- When
- January 12
- Where
- New Delhi
- Why
- To protect commercial confidence and intellectual property rights
- Organization
- Indian Railways
- Body Involved
- Central Information Commission (CIC)
- Act Cited
- Right to Information (RTI) Act
- Section Cited
- Section 8
- Service Mentioned
- Paschim Superfast Express
- Date
- January 12
- Appeal Status
- Dismissed