IRCTC Refund Rules: Train Ticket Cancellation Charges (2026 Rules)
How much you get back when you cancel a train ticket depends on when you cancel and whether the ticket is confirmed, RAC or waitlisted. Indian Railways tightened the rules in 2026, so cancelling late now costs more. Here’s the current structure and how to get your money back.
Confirmed tickets: refund by cancellation time
| Cancelled before departure | Deduction |
|---|---|
| More than 72 hours | Only a flat cancellation charge per passenger (depends on class) |
| 72 to 24 hours | 25% of the fare (subject to the flat minimum) |
| 24 to 8 hours | 50% of the fare (subject to the flat minimum) |
| Less than 8 hours | No refund |
These windows apply from the revised rules introduced in April 2026 (the no-refund cut-off moved from 4 hours to 8 hours). IRCTC shows the exact refund amount before you confirm a cancellation.
RAC and waitlisted tickets
- A small clerkage charge is deducted when you cancel an RAC or waitlisted ticket before the cut-off.
- An e-ticket that stays fully waitlisted after chart preparation is cancelled automatically with a refund (minus clerkage).
Tatkal tickets
Confirmed Tatkal tickets are not refundable. Waitlisted Tatkal tickets follow the waitlist rules.
When you get a full refund
- The train is cancelled by Railways
- The train is late by more than 3 hours and you don’t travel (file a TDR before departure)
- Other cases covered by TDR, such as AC failure or travelling in a lower class
How refunds are paid
For online e-tickets, the refund goes back to the original payment method, usually within a few working days. For counter tickets, collect it at the counter as per the rules.
Frequently asked questions
How do I cancel an e-ticket?
See how to cancel a train ticket on IRCTC.
What is TDR?
A Ticket Deposit Receipt is a refund claim you file on IRCTC when you couldn’t travel for a valid reason (train late by more than 3 hours, AC not working, etc.).
Related guides
Official link: IRCTC. Rules change from time to time, and the refund shown on IRCTC is final. Easy Guide India is not affiliated with IRCTC.
2 thoughts on “IRCTC Refund Rules: Train Ticket Cancellation Charges (2026 Rules)”
Tuesday 10:20 am
PNR 4647364091 ticket cancelled. Amt 3,450 will be refunded within 3-4 days. Please check your account/instrument from which this tkt was booked.-IRCTC
Google Lens
Thanks for sharing the update. Refund messages like this are usually sent by IRCTC after ticket cancellation. The refund is typically credited to the original payment method within a few working days.
If the refund is delayed, it’s best to check the status in your IRCTC account under “Booked Ticket History” or contact IRCTC customer support for confirmation.