Indian Railway Ticket Cancellation & Refund Guide (2025)
Use this page to understand all about PNR cancellations, refund rules, Tatkal ticket refunds, chart preparation impacts, and try the tool below to estimate your refund eligibility at any time.
What is PNR Cancellation?
PNR (Passenger Name Record) cancellation means cancelling all or some passengers on a reserved ticket in Indian Railways via online or offline channels. Refund eligibility depends on ticket type, booking quota, class, status, and timing of cancellation relative to train departure.
Cancellation Refund Eligibility Tool
See cancellation deduction table below
How Do Refunds Work?
Refunds for Indian Railway tickets depend on ticket status, timing, class, and quota. E-ticket refunds are typically processed automatically to your payment account. Counter ticket refunds are collected at the PRS counter by surrendering your ticket.
Tatkal Refund Rules
- Confirmed Tatkal/Premium Tatkal: Generally no refund unless train is cancelled.
- RAC/Waitlisted Tatkal: Full refund minus flat deduction if cancelled before chart preparation.
- Special Tatkal refund claims need TDR filing.
Refunds After Chart Preparation
After charting, e-ticket cancellations are not permitted online for confirmed bookings. Special refunds (train cancelled, AC failure, not travelled) require TDR claims. Counter ticket surrender remains valid within 4 hours of scheduled departure.
Cancellation Charges & Refund Deduction Table
| Ticket Class / Status | More than 48 hrs before departure | 48–12 hrs before departure | 12–4 hrs before departure | Less than 4 hrs or after departure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC Classes (1A, 2A, 3A, CC) | ₹120 per passenger | 25% of fare (min ₹120) | 50% of fare (min ₹120) | No refund |
| Sleeper, 2S, General | ₹60 per passenger | 25% of fare (min ₹60) | 50% of fare (min ₹60) | No refund |
| RAC Ticket | ₹60 deduction per passenger | Same as above | Same as above | No refund |
| Waitlisted Ticket | ₹65 AC, ₹60 non-AC deduction per passenger (before chart) | Same as above | Same as above | No refund |
| Tatkal/Premium Tatkal (Confirmed) | No refund except if train is cancelled | |||
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Q. What is PNR cancellation?
- A. You can cancel your reserved ticket fully or partially online or at a railway counter. Refunds depend on the type and condition of the ticket.
- Q. How is the refund processed?
- A. Refund for e-tickets is processed automatically within 5–7 days. For counter tickets, the physical ticket must be surrendered at PRS counters for refund.
- Q. Are Tatkal tickets refundable?
- A. Confirmed Tatkal tickets are not refundable except when the train is cancelled. RAC or waitlisted Tatkal tickets can be cancelled before chart preparation for a refund.
- Q. What happens if the ticket is cancelled after chart preparation?
- A. Online cancellation for confirmed e-tickets is not allowed after chart preparation. You must file a TDR (Ticket Deposit Receipt) for a special refund. Counter tickets can still be surrendered at the station.
- Q. Where to file TDR claims?
- A. TDR claims can be filed online through the IRCTC website under the 'Booked Ticket History' section.
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