New IRCTC Cancellation Rules 2026 – Revised Indian Railways Refund Policy
Indian Railways has revised train ticket cancellation and refund rules effective 1 April 2026. Compare old vs new rules, understand the changes, and calculate your refund with the updated policy.
Key Changes at a Glance
Full refund window: Now need to cancel 72 hours before departure (was 48 hours)
25% deduction: Applies 72–24 hours before departure (was 48–12 hours)
50% deduction: Applies 24–8 hours before departure (was 12–4 hours)
No refund: Less than 8 hours before departure (was 4 hours)
Old vs New Cancellation Rules – Side by Side Comparison
See exactly what changed in the IRCTC cancellation policy from 1 April 2026:
❌ Before (Old Rules)
Until 31 March 2026
| Time Before Departure | Refund |
|---|---|
| More than 48 hours | Full refund (flat charge only) |
| 48 to 12 hours | 25% deducted |
| 12 to 4 hours | 50% deducted |
| Less than 4 hours | No refund |
✅ After (New Rules – April 2026)
Effective 1 April 2026
| Time Before Departure | Refund |
|---|---|
| More than 72 hours | Full refund (flat charge only) |
| 72 to 24 hours | 25% deducted |
| 24 to 8 hours | 50% deducted |
| Less than 8 hours | No refund |
Applicable for confirmed tickets only. Source: IRCTC / Ministry of Railways.
Flat Cancellation Charges by Class (Unchanged)
When you cancel more than 72 hours before departure, only a flat fee is deducted. These charges remain the same as before:
| Class | Flat Cancellation Charge |
|---|---|
| First AC (1A) | ₹240 per passenger |
| Second AC (2A) | ₹200 per passenger |
| Third AC (3A) | ₹180 per passenger |
| AC Chair Car (CC) | ₹180 per passenger |
| Executive Chair (EC) | ₹180 per passenger |
| Sleeper (SL) | ₹120 per passenger |
| 2nd Sitting (2S) | ₹60 per passenger |
Detailed Explanation of the New Rules
1. Full Refund Window (72+ hours before departure)
If you cancel your confirmed ticket more than 72 hours (3 days) before the scheduled departure, you receive a full refund. Only a flat cancellation charge is deducted, which varies by class: ₹240 for 1A, ₹200 for 2A, ₹180 for 3A/CC, ₹120 for SL, and ₹60 for 2S. Previously, this window was 48 hours.
2. 25% Deduction Window (72 to 24 hours)
Cancelling between 72 and 24 hours before departure results in a 25% deduction from the ticket fare (subject to a minimum charge of ₹240). Previously, this window was 48 to 12 hours.
3. 50% Deduction Window (24 to 8 hours)
Cancelling between 24 and 8 hours before departure results in 50% of the fare being deducted (subject to a minimum charge of ₹240). Previously, this window was 12 to 4 hours.
4. No Refund Zone (Less than 8 hours)
If you cancel less than 8 hours before departure, no refund is provided. This is double the previous no-refund window of 4 hours. This is the biggest change that impacts last-minute cancellers.
Who Is Affected by the New Rules?
Confirmed ticket holders: The new time windows apply only to passengers with confirmed (CNF) tickets.
Tatkal ticket holders: No change. Confirmed Tatkal tickets still have no refund on voluntary cancellation.
WL / RAC ticket holders: No change. Waiting list tickets not confirmed at chart preparation still get automatic full refund.
Railway-cancelled trains: Full refund regardless of cancellation timing if the train is cancelled by Indian Railways.
FAQs – New IRCTC Cancellation Rules 2026
What are the new IRCTC cancellation rules from April 2026?
From 1 April 2026, Indian Railways revised cancellation time windows for confirmed tickets. You now need to cancel at least 72 hours (3 days) before departure for a full refund with only flat charges. The 25% deduction window is 72–24 hours, 50% deduction is 24–8 hours, and there is no refund if you cancel less than 8 hours before departure.
What changed from old to new cancellation rules?
The main changes: (1) Full refund window extended from 48 to 72 hours. (2) 25% deduction zone changed from 48–12 to 72–24 hours. (3) 50% deduction zone changed from 12–4 to 24–8 hours. (4) No-refund window doubled from 4 to 8 hours. Flat charges by class remain the same.
When do the new cancellation rules start?
The new rules take effect from 1 April 2026 and apply to confirmed tickets only. Tatkal, RAC, and WL ticket rules remain unchanged.
I cancelled my ticket 6 hours before departure. Will I get a refund?
No. Under the new rules (effective April 2026), any cancellation less than 8 hours before departure results in no refund. Under the old rules, the cut-off was 4 hours.
I cancelled 48 hours before departure. What is my refund under new rules?
Under the new rules, cancelling 48 hours before departure falls in the 72–24 hour window, so 25% of the fare will be deducted (minimum ₹240). Under the old rules, you would have received a full refund with only flat charges deducted at 48 hours.
Do these new rules apply to Tatkal tickets?
No. Confirmed Tatkal tickets still have zero refund on voluntary cancellation. The new time window changes only affect regular confirmed tickets.
What about waiting list (WL) ticket refunds?
WL ticket refund rules are unchanged. If your waitlisted ticket is not confirmed at chart preparation, you receive an automatic full refund.
What happens if the train is cancelled by Indian Railways?
If Indian Railways cancels the train, you receive a full refund regardless of ticket type or when you applied for cancellation. This rule has not changed.
Where can I read the official notification?
The official cancellation rules are published by IRCTC. You can access the document at contents.irctc.co.in. Our calculator is updated with the latest rules.
Related IRCTC Tools
- 💰 IRCTC Refund Calculator (Updated April 2026) — calculate refund with new cancellation rules
- 📋 Complete Railway Refund Rules — full guide incl. TDR, WL, and Tatkal rules
- ⚡ Tatkal Booking Time Calculator — AC opens 10 AM, Non-AC 11 AM IST
- 📅 Booking Date Calculator — booking opens 60 days before journey
- 📋 Chart Preparation Time — know when final berth allocation is done