New Delhi— Indian Railways has introduced revised rules for ticket cancellations and refunds, aiming to curb misuse of the booking system by touts while also making travel more convenient for genuine passengers.
The updated policy, set to roll out in phases between April 1 and April 15, 2026, links refund amounts directly to how early a ticket is cancelled before the train’s departure.
Under the new structure, passengers cancelling tickets more than 72 hours in advance will receive the highest refund, with only a nominal flat cancellation charge deducted per passenger. If cancellations are made between 72 and 24 hours before departure, 25% of the fare will be deducted, subject to a minimum charge.
The penalties become steeper as departure time approaches. Cancellations made between 24 and 8 hours prior to departure will attract a 50% deduction, while no refund will be issued for tickets cancelled less than 8 hours before the train leaves.
Explaining the rationale, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that touts often exploit the system by bulk-booking tickets and cancelling the unsold ones close to departure, recovering most of the fare. The revised rules are expected to discourage such practices and ensure better availability for genuine travellers.
In a passenger-friendly move, the Railways has also extended the window for changing the boarding station. Travellers can now modify their boarding point up to 30 minutes before the scheduled departure of the train—offering greater flexibility, especially in cities with multiple railway stations.
Previously, this change was allowed only before the reservation chart was prepared. The new provision is expected to make travel planning more convenient and adaptable for passengers.
With inputs from IANS