New IRCTC Cancellation Rules 2026 – Old vs New Comparison

Indian Railways new cancellation rules from 1 April 2026. Compare old vs new refund policy: 72h for full refund, 25% at 72-24h, 50% at 24-8h, no refund under 8h. Complete guide.

Updated 31 Mar 2026

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Indian Railways revised train ticket cancellation rules effective 1 April 2026. All cancellation time windows have been extended: 72 hours for full refund (was 48h), 72-24 hours for 25% deduction (was 48-12h), 24-8 hours for 50% deduction (was 12-4h), and no refund under 8 hours (was 4h). These changes apply to confirmed tickets only.

Key Information

  • Indian Railways revised train ticket cancellation rules effective 1 April 2026.
  • All cancellation time windows have been extended: 72 hours for full refund (was 48h), 72-24 hours for 25% deduction (was 48-12h), 24-8 hours for 50% deduction (was 12-4h), and no refund under 8 hours (was 4h).
  • These changes apply to confirmed tickets only.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the new IRCTC cancellation rules from April 2026?
From 1 April 2026: 72+ hours = full refund (flat charge only). 72-24 hours = 25% deducted. 24-8 hours = 50% deducted. Less than 8 hours = no refund.
What is the difference between old and new cancellation rules?
Old rules: 48h/12h/4h windows. New rules: 72h/24h/8h. The no-refund zone doubled from 4 to 8 hours. You must cancel earlier for full refund.
Do the new rules apply to Tatkal tickets?
No. Tatkal confirmed tickets still have zero refund on cancellation. Only regular confirmed ticket time windows changed.
When did the new cancellation rules start?
The new rules took effect from 1 April 2026 and apply to all confirmed regular ticket cancellations.
Are the flat cancellation charges also changed in 2026?
No. The flat charges per class remain the same: ₹240 (1A), ₹200 (2A/CC), ₹180 (3A), ₹120 (SL), ₹60 (2S) per passenger. Only the time windows changed.

Disclaimer: RailWise is an independent information platform and is not affiliated with Indian Railways or IRCTC. All information is provided for general guidance only. Railway rules can change — always verify current policies on the official Indian Railways website.

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