How to Cancel an IRCTC Train Ticket Online
- Log in to irctc.co.in or open the IRCTC Rail Connect app
- Go to My Bookings (or "Booked Ticket History")
- Find the ticket you want to cancel and click Cancel Ticket
- Select the passengers you want to cancel (you can cancel for individual passengers)
- Confirm the cancellation and note the refund amount shown
- Refund is processed automatically to your original payment method
You can cancel tickets online up to 4 hours before departure for most trains. After that, you need to visit the station counter or file a TDR.
IRCTC Cancellation Charges — How Much Do You Get Back?
Cancellation charges depend on how early you cancel:
| When Cancelled | Charge (per passenger) |
|---|---|
| More than 48 hours before departure | Flat: ₹240 (1A/2A), ₹200 (3A/CC), ₹120 (SL), ₹60 (2S) |
| 12–48 hours before departure | 25% of fare (min ₹60) |
| 4–12 hours before departure | 50% of fare (min ₹60) |
| Within 4 hours of departure | No online refund — file TDR |
Waitlisted tickets: If your ticket is still on the waitlist, you get a full refund minus ₹60 processing fee regardless of when you cancel.
What Is TDR and When to File It?
TDR (Ticket Deposit Receipt) is a refund claim you file when:
- Your train was delayed by more than 3 hours
- Your train was cancelled by Indian Railways
- You could not board due to a missed connection caused by another late train
- You were not provided the accommodation class you paid for
- You could not cancel online within the 4-hour window
File TDR within 72 hours of the scheduled departure on the IRCTC website: My Bookings → File TDR. Refund takes 30–90 days to process after approval.
How Long Does IRCTC Refund Take?
- Online cancellation: 5–7 business days to original payment method
- Waitlisted ticket auto-cancelled after chart: 5–7 business days, automatically
- TDR refund: 30–90 days after claim approval
- Cash payment at counter: Instant at the counter, or by cheque later
Can I Get Refund If My Waitlisted Ticket Is Not Confirmed?
Yes — if your ticket remains on the waitlist when chart is prepared, it is automatically cancelled and refunded. You do not need to cancel manually. The refund is processed within 5–7 business days.
To avoid missing this, use PNR Alert to get a WhatsApp message when your waitlist status changes or when chart is prepared — so you always know your final status.
Partial Cancellation — Cancel One Passenger From a Group Booking
Yes, IRCTC allows partial cancellation. In the cancellation screen, select only the passengers you want to cancel. The remaining passengers' booking stays active. Refund is calculated pro-rata for the cancelled passengers only.