Passengers often make reservations for train travel, frequently booking tickets online. However, sometimes due to unforeseen circumstances, tickets may need to be cancelled. In such cases, the railways impose cancellation charges, which vary depending on the ticket type.
Generally, if an online waiting list ticket is not confirmed, it is automatically cancelled, and the refund is credited directly to the passenger’s account. However, for the cancellation of confirmed or RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) tickets, certain charges are deducted from the refund amount, which the passenger must pay.
How Much is Deducted for Cancelling a Confirmed Ticket?
- If the ticket is cancelled more than 48 hours before the scheduled departure, a flat cancellation fee is deducted per passenger.
- AC First/Executive Class: Rs 240 + GST
- First Class/AC 2 Tier: Rs 200 + GST
- AC Chair Car/AC 3 Tier/AC 3 Economy: Rs 180 + GST
- Sleeper Class: Rs 120
- Second Class: Rs 60
Cancellation Charges Between 48 to 12 Hours Before Departure
- If the cancellation is done between 48 hours to 12 hours before departure, a charge of 25% of the fare (plus applicable GST) is deducted for all AC classes.
Cancellation Charges Between 12 to 4 Hours Before Departure
- If the cancellation occurs between 12 hours to 4 hours before departure, a 50% cancellation charge of the fare (including applicable GST) is deducted for all AC classes.
No Refund Conditions
- If the ticket is not cancelled at least 4 hours before departure or TDR (Ticket Deposit Receipt) is not filed online, no refund will be provided for confirmed tickets.
- For RAC e-tickets, if the ticket is not cancelled 30 minutes before departure, no refund will be issued.
What is the rule for RAC and waiting tickets
If you have an e-ticket, in such a case, online cancellation will be done or online TDR is required to be filed to get a refund within the time limit prescribed under the rules. Where an RAC ticket or waiting list ticket is presented for cancellation, the fare refund is made after deducting clerkage, if the ticket is presented for cancellation up to 30 minutes before the scheduled departure of the train, regardless of the distance. Talking about clerkage, a clerkage fee of Rs 60 per passenger plus GST is deducted till 30 minutes before the scheduled departure of the train, irrespective of the distance. This applies to all AC classes.
No Refund Rules
- No refund will be given if the RAC or waiting list ticket is cancelled within 30 minutes of the scheduled departure.
- If a confirmed reservation is granted to an RAC or waiting list ticket holder before the reservation chart is finalized, the cancellation charges will be the same as for a confirmed ticket.
How to Contact Indian Railways for Queries
Simple Ways to Contact Indian Railways
- Call 139 (Rail Madad) – 24/7 helpline for all queries.
- IRCTC Website/App – Visit irctc.co.in or use the Rail Madad app.
- Social Media – Tweet @RailMinIndia or @IRCTCofficial.
- Email – For tickets: care@irctc.co.in; General: railmadad@cris.org.in.
- Visit Station – Inquiry counters are available at railway stations.