IRCTC Cancellation & Refund Rules 2026
When to cancel, how much you get back, when to file a TDR, and how long the refund actually takes — every cancellation rule for Indian Railways tickets, simplified.
Confirmed Ticket — Cancellation Charges
Charges depend on how long before departure you cancel:
| Time Before Departure | 1A/EC | 2A/3A/3E/CC | SL | 2S |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| More than 48 hours | ₹240 | ₹200 | ₹120 | ₹60 |
| 48–12 hours | 25% of fare | 25% of fare | 25% of fare | 25% of fare |
| 12–4 hours | 50% of fare | 50% of fare | 50% of fare | 50% of fare |
| Less than 4 hours / after chart prep | No refund (file TDR for special cases) | |||
Plus GST and convenience fee adjustments.
Waitlist (WL) & RAC Tickets
- WL e-ticket auto-cancelled after chart prep if not confirmed — full refund minus a small clerkage charge (₹60).
- WL/RAC cancelled by user before chart prep — clerkage of ₹60 deducted.
- Counter ticket WL must be cancelled at the counter for refund.
Tatkal & Premium Tatkal
- Confirmed Tatkal: No refund on cancellation.
- WL/RAC Tatkal not confirmed: Auto-refund minus clerkage.
- Premium Tatkal: Non-refundable on any cancellation.
For more details, see the Tatkal Booking Guide.
When to File a TDR (Ticket Deposit Receipt)
TDR is filed online via IRCTC when normal cancellation isn't applicable:
- Train cancelled by Railways (rare — usually auto-refunded)
- Train running late by more than 3 hours and you didn't travel
- AC failure during journey (refund of difference in fare)
- Coach detached, party not allowed to board
- Passenger didn't travel due to medical / personal emergency (with proof)
- Wrong charging by TTE
How to file TDR: Login to IRCTC → My Transactions → File TDR → select reason → submit. Refund takes 60–90 days as Railways needs to verify with the originating zone.
Train Cancelled by Railways
If Indian Railways cancels the train:
- e-ticket: Full refund auto-credited to source account in 3–5 days. No action needed.
- Counter ticket: Surrender at any reservation counter within 3 days for full refund.
Refund Timeline
| Refund Type | Time |
|---|---|
| Online cancellation (e-ticket) | 3–7 working days |
| Auto-cancelled WL e-ticket | 3–7 working days after chart prep |
| Train cancelled by Railways | 3–5 working days |
| TDR refund | 60–90 days |
| Counter ticket cancellation | Cash refund at counter (instant) |
Partial Cancellation
You can cancel some passengers from a multi-passenger PNR while the others continue to travel. Charges apply per cancelled passenger. The PNR remains active for the rest.
Modifying a Ticket Instead of Cancelling
- Boarding station change: Free, up to 24 hours before departure on IRCTC.
- Date/train change: Not directly possible — cancel and rebook.
- Name change: Limited to immediate family with documents, at the counter only.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does refund take?
3–7 working days for normal cancellation. 60–90 days for TDR refunds.
Can I get refund after chart preparation?
For confirmed tickets — only via TDR with valid reason. For unconfirmed WL e-tickets — auto-refunded.
What is the cancellation charge for ₹500 SL ticket cancelled 24 hours before?
25% of fare = ₹125. You get back ~₹375 plus GST adjustments.
Are Premium Tatkal tickets refundable?
No. Premium Tatkal is non-refundable on any cancellation, even immediately after booking.