New Delhi, March 24: Indian Railways has revised its ticket cancellation rules to curb misuse of the booking system by touts, while also introducing greater flexibility for passengers to modify boarding stations.
The updated framework, to be implemented in phases between April 1 and April 15, 2026, links refund amounts more strictly to the time of cancellation before train departure. Passengers cancelling tickets more than 72 hours in advance will receive the highest refund, subject to a flat cancellation fee.
For cancellations made between 72 and 24 hours prior to departure, a deduction of 25% of the fare will apply. This increases to 50% for cancellations between 24 and 8 hours. No refund will be provided for cancellations made less than 8 hours before departure.
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the move is aimed at preventing touts from bulk-booking tickets and cancelling unsold ones close to departure to recover most of the fare. The tighter refund structure is expected to reduce such practices and improve ticket availability for genuine passengers.
In a passenger-friendly measure, Indian Railways will now allow travellers to change their boarding station up to 30 minutes before the scheduled departure of the train. Previously, such changes were permitted only before chart preparation.
The new provision is particularly beneficial for passengers in cities with multiple railway stations, enabling them to choose a more convenient boarding point closer to departure time.
The reforms reflect Indian Railways’ efforts to balance stricter controls on ticketing misuse with enhanced flexibility and convenience for passengers.
