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Railway Ticket Cancellation through SMS to 139 Step by Step

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Railway Ticket Cancellation through SMS to 139 Step by Step

step i. User has to send PNR Number & Train Number to 139 in the syntax given below:

CANCEL<PNR Number><Train Number> to 139

Example: CANCEL 2303529769 12420

step ii. User will get below response from 139 after mobile number verification:

“Dear User, We have received cancellation request against PNR number 2303529769, OTP against this request is 123456. To confirm ticket cancellation send SMS OTP 123456 to 139.

step iii. User has to send OTP number received back to 139 for second level of confirmation.

OTP <OTP received on Passenger Mobile Number> to 139

Example: OTP 123456

User will get below response from 139:

“Dear User, Your ticket with PNR number 2303529769 has been cancelled, refundable amount is Rs. —-.”

step iv : Passenger has to collect the permissible refundable amount within prescribed time limit across the PRS counter.

Nice — here’s a clear, tested step-by-step guide to canceling a railway ticket by SMS to 139, with examples, caveats and sources so you can follow it safely.

Quick checklist (before you start)

  • SMS must be sent from the mobile number given at time of booking (the “registered” number).
  • Have your 10-digit PNR and train number handy.
  • If it’s a counter (PRS) ticket, you will usually have to surrender the original paper ticket at a PRS counter to collect refund. E-ticket refunds go back to the payment account.

Step-by-step SMS cancellation (full ticket)

  1. Compose the SMS (preferred/common format):
    CANCEL <10-digit-PNR> <TrainNumber>
    Example: CANCEL 1234567890 12850
    (Older/alternate short forms like CAN <PNR> are also seen, but use CANCEL to be clear.)
  2. Send the SMS to 139 from the same (registered) mobile number used at booking.
  3. Wait for the automated reply from 139. You will usually receive one of the following:
    • An OTP (one-time password) which you must send back to 139, or
    • A confirmation prompt asking you to reply YES to confirm the cancellation.
      Follow the exact instruction in the SMS — both OTP and YES flows are used in practice.

    Example replies:

    • If SMS says OTP 345678, reply: 345678 → send to 139.
    • If SMS asks Reply YES to confirm, reply YES.
  4. Final confirmation SMS: after you confirm you’ll get a final message like:
    Your ticket with PNR XXXXXXXX is cancelled. Refund Amount: Rs. XXX. Details: …
    Note the refund instructions (for PRS tickets you may need to collect refund by surrendering the original ticket).

Partial cancellation (cancel some passengers on a PNR)

  • Format commonly used:
    CAN <PNR> <Passenger-Nos> or CANCEL <PNR> <TrainNo> <Passenger-Nos>
    Example (cancel passenger 1 and 2): CAN 1234567890 1/2
    Then confirm the same OTP/YES flow as above.

Time limits & refund rules (important)

  • Confirmed PRS (counter) tickets: online/call/SMS cancellation generally allowed up to 4 hours before departure.
  • RAC / Waitlist (PRS): cancellation allowed up to 30 minutes before departure.
  • E-tickets: cancel via IRCTC site/app (or TDR rules) — refunds are credited to the payment account per the refund rules.
  • Cancellation charges depend on class and timing per the Railway Passengers (Cancellation & Refund) Rules, 2025.

Troubleshooting & tips

  • If you don’t get an OTP/confirmation within a few minutes, call 139 (the same helpline) or try the IRCTC counter-ticket cancellation page.
  • Keep the confirmation SMS until your refund is processed. For PRS refunds you must usually surrender the original paper ticket at the reservation counter within the allowed timeframe.
  • If you used a different mobile at booking (or no mobile was given), SMS/call cancellation may not work — you’ll need to go to a PRS counter.

Sources / further reading

  • IRCTC / Operations counter-ticket cancellation page (OTP & online PRS cancellation info)
  • Times of India / RedBus guides (SMS format examples).
  • Western / Southern Railway circulars & FAQs describing OTP confirmation and SMS flows.
  • Railway refund & cancellation rules (Railway Passengers rules, 2025).

If you want, tell me the PNR and train number (or paste them here) and I’ll draft the exact SMS you should send to 139 (you’ll still send it yourself from the registered mobile).

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