PRS Counter Ticket Cancellation and Refund | Refund of PRS Tickets Regarding
PRS Counter Ticket Cancellation and Refund | Refund of PRS Tickets Regarding
Operation of PRS counters at nominated stations on Central Railway – Refund of PRS tickets regarding
Operation of PRS counters at nominated stations on Central Railway
On Central Railway, PRS counters have started functioning at nominated stations from 22.5.2025 for the convenience of passengers to book reserved tickets in special trains.
Also Read: IRCTC Grant Full Refund of Tickets Booked for Journeys Scheduled Between 01-07-2025 to 12-08-2025
It is also decided that the refund of reservation tickets for the trains cancelled for the journey between 22.3.2025 to 30.6.2025 will be granted as per the following schedule:
Date of journey as per PRS ticket Refund to be given from
| Journey commencement Date | Date of Refund on PRS Counters |
| 22.03.2025 to 31.03.2025 | 26.05.2025 |
| 01.04.2025 to 14.04.2025 | 01.06.2025 |
| 15.04.2025 to 30.04.2025 | 07.06.2025 |
| 01.05.2025 to 15.05.2025 | 14.06.2025 |
| 16.05.2025 to 31.05.2025 | 21.06.2025 |
| 01.06.2025 to 30.06.2025 | 28.06.2025 |
Here’s your detailed guide to PRS (Passenger Reservation System) Counter Ticket cancellation and refund rules, as updated in 2025:
Contents
- 1 🧾 1. Online Cancellation of Counter Tickets
- 2 ⏳ 2. Cancellation Time Limits
- 3 🚂 3. Refund Collection Process
- 4 💰 4. Cancellation Charges & Applicable Refund Rules
- 5 ⚠️ 5. Important Exceptions & Restrictions
- 6 ✅ 6. Quick Summary Table
- 7 📝 7. How to Cancel Online (via IRCTC / 139)
- 8 ⚠️ Tips for a Smooth Refund:
🧾 1. Online Cancellation of Counter Tickets
- From March 2025, PRS counter ticket holders who provided a valid mobile number at booking can cancel tickets online via IRCTC or by calling 139‑option 6, within specified time limits.
- This feature is only for tickets not associated with canceled or delayed trains.
⏳ 2. Cancellation Time Limits
| Ticket Type | Online Cancellation Window |
|---|---|
| Confirmed | Up to 4 hours before departure |
| RAC / Waitlist | Up to 30 minutes before departure |
- After these time windows, online cancellation is not permitted.
🚂 3. Refund Collection Process
- Online cancellation marks the ticket as “Cancelled but not Refunded.”
- To receive the refund, you must physically surrender the original ticket at:
- Any PRS counter (if cancellation was within the allowed time), or
- The journey-originating station or a designated satellite PRS location within a zonal radius (~50 km).
🕒 Refund collection deadlines:
- For trains departing between 18:01–06:00: Refund collection opens for 2 hours starting at PRS opening next day.
- For trains departing between 06:01–18:00: Refund must be collected within 4 hours of scheduled departure during PRS working hours.
💰 4. Cancellation Charges & Applicable Refund Rules
- Same as e-ticket norms:
-
48 hrs before: flat charge (e.g. ₹240 for 1A, ₹200 for 2A, ₹180 for 3A/CC/3E, ₹120 for Sleeper, ₹60 for 2S).
- 48–12 hrs: 25% of fare (minimum of flat charge).
- 12–4 hrs (up to chart): 50% of fare (minimum slab).
-
- RAC/Waitlist counter tickets cancelled online within permitted window may attract standard clerkage/surcharge (≈ ₹60).
- Special cases:
- If no accommodation (e.g., train canceled/seats not available) → Full refund if ticket surrendered within 3 hours of train’s actual departure.
- If train delayed by >3 hrs and passenger declines travel (prior departure), full refund is allowed.
⚠️ 5. Important Exceptions & Restrictions
- Online cancellation is not permitted:
- For trains that are delayed or fully canceled.
- If no valid mobile number was registered during booking.
- Privilege/Duty passes, PTO, and Complimentary tickets may be canceled online—but refunds may vary; passes may need revalidation.
✅ 6. Quick Summary Table
| Scenario | Can Cancel Online? | Refund Collected At |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmed ticket, >4 hrs before departure | ✅ Yes | Any PRS counter |
| RAC / Waitlist ticket, up to 30 min before travel | ✅ Yes | Any PRS counter |
| Cancellations after cutoff | ❌ No | Only at originating or satellite PRS location |
| Train canceled/late | ❌ No | Must surrender ticket at PRS counter |
| Passbook/PTO/Complimentary tickets | ✅ Sometimes possible | Special rules, zero refund or revalidation |
📝 7. How to Cancel Online (via IRCTC / 139)
- Provide PNR & train number + solve captcha.
- An OTP is sent to your registered mobile number.
- Enter OTP to confirm cancellation.
- You’ll see a refund amount displayed, and receive an SMS with refund instructions.
⚠️ Tips for a Smooth Refund:
- Always use the same mobile number used at booking.
- Visit station in time to collect your refund—refunds cannot be mailed.
- Avoid canceling after cutoff—you may lose refund eligibility.
- For night departures or early train times, planning to collect refund next-day is advised.
Would you like assistance with:
- Finding your nearest PRS/satellite location for refund collection,
- Calculating cancellation charges for your PNR?
- Or walking through online cancellation or boarding point change steps?
Happy to guide you further!