IRCTC Latest Guidelines on Cancellation of Ticket and Refund of Fare
IRCTC Latest Guidelines on Cancellation of Ticket and Refund of Fare
IRCTC Revised Guidelines on Cancellation of Tickets and Refund of Fare, due to Covid 19 situation SCR Order (PR.No.85) issued on 14-05-2025
As per the Railway Board instructions, revised guidelines issued on cancellation of tickets and refund of fare, due to COVID-19 situation
I. Relaxation in Refund Rules for already booked Passenger Resevation system (PRS) Counter Tickets and E-Tickets for journeys starting from 21st March 2025 up to resumption of Passenger services or till further orders.
Also Read: IRCTC Grant Full Refund of Tickets Booked for Journeys Scheduled Between 01-07-2025 to 12-08-2025
1. Trains Cancelled by Railways:
Passenger Reservation system (PRS) Counter Ticket: Refund across counter can be claimed on submission of Ticket up to six months from date of journey (instead of earlier rule of 3 days excluding day of journey).
E – Ticket: Auto Refund.
2. Trains Not Cancelled. Passenger does not want to perform Journey: As a special case, full refund will be given for already booked reserved tickets.
PRS Counter Ticket: Passengers can file Ticket Deposit Receipt (TDR) within six months from the date of journey at the station and submit the detailed TDR within in next 60 days to Chief Claims Officer or Chief Commercial Manager. Refund of concerned Zonal railway for getting the refund amount, subject to verification.
E – Ticket: Online Cancellation and refund facility is available
Passengers can also cancel PRS counter ticket through 139 Railway enquiry number or through the website of IRCTC and can get refund across the counter within the six months from the date of journey.
II. Full Refund of deducted cancellation amount on already cancelled booked reserved tickets for journey period starting from 21st March. 2025.
PRS Counter Ticket: Passengers who have already cancelled their tickets for the said journey period can apply through post in a prescribed Performa for refund of balance amount of cancellation charge to the office of Chief claims Officer or Chief Commercial Manager/ Refund of concerned Zonal Railway Headquarters Passengers must claim the refund by sending it through post within six months of scheduled date of journey.
E – Ticket: Refund of deducted amount of cancellation charges will be credited to the account of the passengers from which ticket was booked.
Here are the most up‑to‑date IRCTC and Indian Railways guidelines on ticket cancellations and fare refunds, as applicable in August 2025:
Contents
🎟️ Confirmed Tickets (e‑tickets & counters)
- More than 48 hours before scheduled departure: Flat cancellation charges per passenger:
- ₹ 240 + GST: AC First Class / Executive
- ₹ 200 + GST: AC 2‑Tier / First Class
- ₹ 180 + GST: AC 3‑Tier / AC Chair Car / AC 3 Economy
- ₹ 120: Sleeper Class
- ₹ 60: Second Class
- Between 48 and 12 hours before departure: 25% of fare subject to minimum flat rate above
- Between 12 and 4 hours before departure (chart not yet prepared): 50% of fare subject to minimum flat rate
- Within 4 hours of departure, or after charting: No automatic refund unless you file a TDR (Ticket Deposit Receipt) online. Without it, no refund
🧳 RAC / Waitlisted Tickets
- Up to 30 minutes before departure: Cancellation allowed; refund after deducting clerkage/cancellation charge per passenger:
- ₹ 20 + GST in many rules
- Some sources cite ₹ 60 + GST depending on class and seat type
- If still waitlisted after charting: Ticket is automatically cancelled; full fare refunded (no deduction)
- After 30 minutes before departure: No refund unless TDR filed within deadlines
🚆 Tatkal / Premium Tatkal Tickets
- Confirmed Tatkal / Premium Tatkal: No refund under any circumstances
- Waitlisted Tatkal tickets: Automatically cancelled after charting; full refund (excluding service charges)
⏰ Train Cancellation, Diversions, Delays
- If Indian Railways cancels the train or schedules it more than 3 hours late at your boarding station, or it is diverted and you don’t wish to travel:
- For e‑tickets: Full refund automatically credited (no TDR needed), usually within 3–7 working days
- For counter tickets: You must visit a PRS counter within 72 hours (for cancellation within 3 days) to claim refund
🧾 Partially Confirmed / Family Tickets
If some passengers are confirmed and others are RAC or waitlisted on the same PNR:
- Cancel or file TDR online for all passengers up to 4 hours before departure:
- Confirmed passengers get full refund minus cancellation charge (₹ 20 + GST per person)
- Between charting and 30 min before departure:
- For RAC/waitlisted not travelling, certified by ticket examiner, file TDR within 72 hours of train arrival to claim refund for confirmed passengers
🏦 Refund Processing Timelines
- e‑Ticket or online cancellation: Refund typically credited within 2 hours to up to 5 days, depending on mode (IRCTC iPay, eWallet, UPI tend to be faster—often within hours or minutes)
- Counter cancellations: Refunds may take 5–7 working days, and must be collected at a PRS counter
- TDR refunds: Can take 60–90 days or more depending on processing urgency and verification by Railways
✅ Quick‑Reference Summary Table
| Ticket Status | Cancellation Window | Charges / Refund Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmed e‑ticket | Flat fees per class (₹240 to ₹60) | |
| 48–12 h before | 25% of fare subject to min flat charge | |
| 12–4 h before | 50% of fare subject to min flat charge | |
| <4 h or after charting | No refund unless TDR filed before cutoff | |
| RAC / Waitlisted e‑ticket | Up to 30 min before departure | ₹ 20–60 + GST clerkage; refund balance |
| Not confirmed after charting | Full refund automatically (no charge) | |
| After 30 min | No refund unless TDR filed | |
| Confirmed Tatkal or Premium Tatkal | Any time | No refund |
| Waitlisted Tatkal | Post–charting | Full refund refund automatically |
| Train cancelled / diverted / 3 h delayed | Any time | Full refund automatically (e‑ticket); offline refunds via PRS |
| Partially confirmed tickets | As confirmed / RAC rules apply | Certified partial refunds possible via TDR |
ℹ️ Important Tips
- Use fast-mode payments like IRCTC iPay, eWallet, or UPI to receive refunds quicker—often within minutes
- Always check the official IRCTC site for updates, as cancellation fees and procedures may change over time.
- Keep an eye on eligibility deadlines if you need to file TDR for refund
If you need help with a specific case—like waitlisted coach, partial cancellation, or refund timelines—feel free to share details and I’ll guide you accordingly!