What are the new IRCTC cancellation rules from April 2026?

From 1 April 2026, Indian Railways changed cancellation windows: More than 72 hours before departure - flat fee only (full refund). 72-24 hours - 25% deducted. 24-8 hours - 50% deducted. Less than 8 hours - no refund. Previously the windows were 48h, 12h, and 4h.

How much refund do I get on train ticket cancellation under new rules?

Under the new 2026 rules: Cancel 72+ hours before departure for full refund (flat fee ₹120-₹240 by class). 72-24 hours: 25% deducted. 24-8 hours: 50% deducted. Less than 8 hours: no refund.

Can I get refund on Tatkal ticket cancellation?

No, confirmed Tatkal tickets have no refund on voluntary cancellation. However, if the train is cancelled by Railways, a full refund is issued. WL Tatkal tickets not confirmed get automatic refund.

What is the difference between old and new cancellation rules?

Old rules: 48h/12h/4h windows. New rules (April 2026): 72h/24h/8h windows. The no-refund window doubled from 4 to 8 hours. You need to cancel earlier to get a full refund.

Indian Railways New Refund Rules 2026 – IRCTC Cancellation Charges (Effective April 2026)

Overview of New Cancellation Policy (April 2026)

Effective 1 April 2026, Indian Railways has revised its cancellation and refund policy for confirmed tickets. The new rules extend all cancellation time windows — giving passengers more time to cancel but also increasing the no-refund window from 4 hours to 8 hours before departure.

⚠️ Important: These new rules apply to confirmed tickets only. Tatkal, RAC and WL rules remain unchanged.

For confirmed tickets, cancellation charges are deducted from the total fare. Use our Refund Calculator to get an instant estimate based on the latest rules.

Old vs New Cancellation Rules – Side by Side Comparison

Here's how the cancellation windows have changed from 1 April 2026:

Before (Old Rules)

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)

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. Effective 1 April 2026.

New Cancellation Charges for Confirmed Tickets (2026)

Time Before Departure	Cancellation Fee	Notes
More than 72 hours	Flat ₹60–₹240	Varies by class (SL: ₹120, 2A: ₹200, 1A: ₹240)
72–24 hours before	25% of fare	Minimum cancellation charges apply
24–8 hours before	50% of fare	Minimum cancellation charges apply
Less than 8 hours	No Refund	Online cancellation not possible after chart prep

What Changed in the New Cancellation Rules?

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Full refund window extended: You now need to cancel 72 hours before departure (was 48 hours) to get a full refund with only flat charges deducted.

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25% deduction window changed: The 25% cancellation charge now applies from 72 to 24 hours before departure (was 48 to 12 hours).

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50% deduction window changed: The 50% cancellation charge now applies from 24 to 8 hours before departure (was 12 to 4 hours).

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No-refund window doubled: Cancellations less than 8 hours before departure now get no refund (was 4 hours). This is the biggest impact for last-minute cancellers.

Refund for Waiting List (WL) Tickets

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WL tickets not confirmed at chart preparation get full automatic refund. No cancellation required — the refund is processed automatically.

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Online WL tickets (IRCTC) receive an automatic refund to the original payment source within 3–5 working days.

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Counter WL tickets require the passenger to surrender the ticket at PRS counter for refund.

Learn more about waiting lists: Waiting List Guide →

Tatkal Ticket Refund Rules

•Confirmed Tatkal tickets: No refund on cancellation
• Train cancelled by Railways: Full refund regardless of ticket type
• WL Tatkal not confirmed: Full refund (automatic)

Filing a TDR (Ticket Deposit Receipt)

A TDR can be filed for situations where you couldn't cancel the ticket before departure — such as train late by 3+ hours, seat not available, etc.

TDR Eligibility Cases

• Train delayed by more than 3 hours
• Passenger travelled in a lower class due to non-availability
• Train diverted and passenger unable to reach destination
• Train terminated before destination
• Passenger falls sick before/during journey (with medical certificate)
• Party booking where some passengers got confirmed but others did not

Calculate Your Refund 🆕 New Rules 2026 – Full Guide Booking Date Calculator

Related IRCTC Tools

💰 Calculate train ticket refund— instant IRCTC cancellation charge calculator
⚡ Check IRCTC Tatkal booking time— AC opens 10 AM, Non-AC 11 AM IST
📅 Check IRCTC advance booking opening date— booking opens 60 days before journey
📝 Understand waiting list confirmation— WL, GNWL, PQWL, RLWL explained

Indian Railways Refund Rules 2026 – New IRCTC Cancellation Policy (w.e.f. 1 April 2026)