Re Opening of Reservation (PRS) Counters
Re Opening of Reservation (PRS) Counters
Re-opening of Reservation (PRS) Counters over South Central Railway
Reservation counters at 73 stations will be immediately opened starting 22.05.2025
Booking of Reservation Tickets through the Ticketing agents, Post Offices, Yatri Ticket Suvidha Kendra (YTSK) licensees etc. have also been allowed starting 22.05.2025
Also Check : Issuance of Passenger Reservation Tickets through Post Offices
Taking another significant step towards normalizing the train services across the country, the Indian Railways has decided to open regular Reservation Booking counters for the benefit of Rail Passengers wanting make reservations for the special trains being run. As part of it, South Central Railway has also decided to open Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters over the Zone in a phased manner from tomorrow i.e., 22nd May, 2025 to facilitate general public for booking of reserved journey tickets.
Also Read : New Rules : Yatri Ticket Suvidha Kendra (YTSK)
Starting tomorrow, the following Reservation counters at 73 stations will be opened immediately from 22.05.2025 across the Zone:
Telangana (Total 18 Stations):
Secunderabad, Hyderabad, Kacheguda, Vikarabad, Tandur, Kazipet, Peddapalli, Mancheriyal, Sirpur Kaghaznagar, Mahabubabad, Khammam, Nalgonda, Miryalaguda, Kama Reddi, Nizamabad, Ramannapet, Mahabubnagar, Krishna.
Andhra Pradesh (Total 44 stations):
Vijayawada, Guntur, Tirupati, Renigunta , Kurnool Piduguralla, Nambur, Mangalagiri, Gudur, Nellore, ongole, Krishna Canal, Eluru, Nidadavolu, Rajamundry, Samalkot, Tadepalligudem, Anaparti, Pittapuram, Annavaram, Tuni, Naripatnam Road, Yellamanchalli, Anakapalle, Rayanapadu, Kondapalli, Chittoor, Koduru, Obulavaripalle, Pullampet, Rajampeta, Nandaluru, Kadapa, Kamalapuram, Yerraguntla, Muddanuru, Kondapuram, Tadipatri, Gooty, Guntakal, Adoni, Mantralayam Road, Anantapur, Dharmavaram.
Maharashtra (Total 06 stations):
Nanded, Purna, Parbhani, Selu, Jalna, Aurangabad.
Karnataka (Total 05 stations):
Sedum, Raichur, Saidapur, Nalwar, Yadgir.
In addition, with effect from 22.05.2025 Indian Railways has also allowed the facility of booking/cancellation of reserved tickets through the Common Service Centers, Ticketing agents, Post Offices, Yatri Ticket Suvidha Kendra (YTSK) licensees etc. and through authorized agents of Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) along with computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters of Indian Railways available in railway premises/reservation centers.
It may also be noted that running of Shramik Special trains will continue to be handled by local State Governments as per the existing protocols.
Opening of ticket booking counters for purchasing reserved segment tickets will mark an important step in graded restoration of passenger railway services and making the task of ticket booking easy for all prospective travelers from all parts of India in reserved trains.
It is reiterated that all preventive measures should be followed by the staff as well as rail users approaching the PRS counters in the wake of COVID-19 , like social distancing, wearing of masks, using of sanitizes etc.
Here’s the complete, up-to-date summary of the reopening of PRS reservation counters and related guidelines, particularly the ability to cancel PRS counter tickets online, effective 2025:
Contents
🏛️ Reopening of PRS Counters
- On 22 May 2025, over 73 PRS reservation counters in South Central Railway were officially reopened to facilitate ticket booking for special services.
These counters immediately allowed bookings through agents, PRS centers, and IRCTC for special trains in that zone.
💻 Online Cancellation for PRS Counter Tickets
✅ How It Works
Starting March–April 2025, the Indian Railways launched online cancellation for tickets booked at PRS counters, via:
- IRCTC website/app
- Phone via 139 → Option 6
Key conditions:- A valid mobile number must have been provided at booking.
- Cancellation is limited to normal circumstances only—not allowed if the train is delayed or cancelled.
⏳ Time Windows
| Ticket Type | Cancellation Deadline Online |
|---|---|
| Confirmed | Up to 4 hours before departure |
| RAC / Waitlisted | Up to 30 minutes before departure |
If these time limits are missed or the train is delayed/cancelled, cancellation must be done in person at a PRS counter.
💸 Refund Procedure
- Upon online cancellation, the ticket is marked “Cancelled but not Refunded”, and you’ll receive an SMS with the refund amount.
- To collect the refund, you must surrender the original ticket at:
- Any PRS counter (if canceled within allowed window), or
- The journey-originating station or designated satellite PRS location (if cancellation is after window).
Refund windows vary by departure time: - Train departs between 06:01–18:00 → Refund collected within 4 hours after departure, during PRS hours.
- Train departs between 18:01–06:00 → Refund available in the first 2 hours of the next day’s PRS counter opening.
⚖️ Cancellation Charges
- Charges follow the Railway Passengers (Refund) Rules 2025:
- >48 hrs before: Flat charge (₹60/₹120/₹180/₹200/₹240 depending on class)
- 48–12 hrs: 25% deduction (minimum slab)
- 12–4 hrs before chart: 50% deduction (minimum slab)
- For counter RAC/WL cancellations online, a clerkage charge (~₹60+GST) may apply.
📍 Where to Collect Refund
- Case A: Online cancellation within window → visit any PRS counter to surrender and claim refund.
- Case B: Missed window or delayed/cancelled train → visit journey start station or designated satellite PRS location for refund.
- Deadline Reminder: Refund not claimable beyond 4 hours after scheduled departure for day trains, or beyond first 2 hours of PRS opening next day for late-night trains.
✅ Quick Reference Guide
- Enter PNR and train number on IRCTC or dial 139 → option 6.
- Submit OTP sent to your registered mobile.
- Confirm cancellation; view refund amount displayed.
- Receive SMS with instruction: “Collect refund at reservation counter with original ticket.”
- Surrender original PRS counter ticket within permitted time and location to claim refund.
📌 Important Notes
- No online cancellation allowed if the train is running late or cancelled—must be done at a PRS counter.
- Privilege/Duty passes (PTO, complimentary) can be canceled online, but refunds may not apply—pass revalidation may be required.
- Always check whether you can physically get to the PRS location BEFORE cancelling online.
Would you like help with:
- Locating your nearest satellite PRS center?
- Calculating exact cancellation charges for your booking?
- A step-by-step walkthrough via IRCTC or phone cancellation?
I’m here to help you navigate smooth cancellation and refund procedures!