Trains · refund
How much refund if I cancel my train ticket?
Choose class, fare and how many hours before departure you cancel. See the charge, the refund and where the next slab starts.
Last updated: Reviewed by IndiaDigital editorsSources
25% of the fare (at least the flat charge). Deducted ₹761 (includes 5% GST of ₹18 per passenger).
Cancel before it is 24 hours to departure to stay in this slab.
These slabs were announced by the Railways Minister on 24 March 2026 and rolled out in April 2026. The IRCTC rules page still shows the 2015 slabs, so check the refund IRCTC shows before you confirm.
Can’t cancel in time? File a TDR when
- The train is more than 3 hours late and you do not travel: file before the train actually leaves your station. Full fare back.
- AC did not work, or you were moved to a lower class: file soon after the journey and keep the TTE’s certificate.
- Some passengers on the ticket did not travel, or a confirmed-RAC family ticket was split.
How it works
- Confirmed ticket, 2026 slabs (announced 24 March 2026, rolled out 1 to 15 April 2026): more than 72 hours before departure, only the flat charge; 72 to 24 hours, 25% of the fare; 24 to 8 hours, 50%; less than 8 hours, no refund. The 25% and 50% are never less than the flat charge.
- Flat charge per passenger: AC First or Executive ₹240, AC 2-tier or First Class ₹200, AC 3-tier, AC Chair Car or AC 3 economy ₹180, Sleeper ₹120, Second Sitting ₹60. GST of 5% is added to the charge for AC classes and First Class.
- RAC or waitlisted: ₹60 clerkage per passenger (plus GST for AC) if cancelled at least 30 minutes before departure. Confirmed Tatkal: no refund.
- The IRCTC rules page still shows the 2015 slabs (48, 12 and 4 hours). Switch rules to compare, and check the refund on your IRCTC cancellation page.
Questions people ask
When should I file a TDR instead of cancelling?
When you cannot cancel normally but are owed money: the train ran more than 3 hours late and you did not travel (file before the train actually leaves your station), AC did not work, you travelled in a lower class, or some passengers did not travel. File it on IRCTC under My Transactions, File TDR. News reports say e-ticket refunds became more automatic in 2026; follow what IRCTC shows for your ticket.
My waitlisted e-ticket did not confirm. Do I need to cancel?
No. A fully waitlisted e-ticket is cancelled automatically when the chart is made and the money goes back to your account.
Does this apply to Vande Bharat Sleeper?
Vande Bharat Sleeper and Amrit Bharat II have their own rules (G.S.R. 41(E), from 16 January 2026): 25% charge more than 72 hours before, 50% from 72 to 8 hours, no refund within 8 hours. Choose them in the rules box.
Sources
Last checked:
- All India Radio: refund slabs announced 24 March 2026 Slabs of 72, 24 and 8 hours for all trains, rolled out 1 to 15 April 2026.
- IRCTC: cancellation and refund rules Still shows the 2015 slabs (48, 12 and 4 hours) and the flat charges per class.
- Refund Rules 2015 (IRCTC PDF) Clerkage ₹60, TDR cases and time limits.
- G.S.R. 41(E), 16 January 2026: refund rules for Vande Bharat Sleeper and Amrit Bharat II Search the Gazette for G.S.R. 41(E) of 2026.
- CBIC Circular 178/10/2022-GST (3 August 2022): 5% GST on cancellation charges for AC and First Class