How to Cancel IRCTC Ticket: Refund Rules, Charges & Steps 2026

Quick Answer

Cancelling an IRCTC ticket online takes under 2 minutes. The refund depends on how many hours before departure you cancel. Cancellation charges range from ₹30 to 100% of fare depending on ticket type and timing.

Railway Guide Updated 2026-06-07 Free tools linked below

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Cancellation Charges: Timetable

Cancellation charges depend on how far in advance you cancel: More than 48 hours before departure: ₹30–120 flat cancellation fee based on class. 12–48 hours before: 25% of fare (minimum ₹30). 4–12 hours before: 50% of fare. Less than 4 hours before OR after chart preparation (but train not departed): NO online cancellation allowed — file TDR. After train departure: NO refund (except for train delay, accident, or specific exceptional cases).

Confirmed, RAC, and WL Ticket Refunds

Confirmed (CNF) tickets: standard cancellation charges apply as above. RAC tickets: cancellation allowed, refund minus clerkage charge (₹30–60). Waitlisted (WL) tickets that are still WL at chart time: full refund minus ₹30–60 clerkage. WL tickets that became CNF: same as CNF cancellation charges.

TDR: When You Cannot Cancel Online

If your train has departed or the cancellation window is closed online, file a TDR (Ticket Deposit Receipt). TDR is filed through IRCTC for exceptional refunds — train cancelled by Railways, delay > 3 hours, passenger boarded wrong train, etc. TDR refunds take 60–90 days and require Railways approval.

Partial Cancellation in a Group Ticket

When cancelling a group PNR, select only the passengers you want to cancel. The remaining passengers' tickets stay valid. Refund is calculated per passenger cancelled.

Common Questions

How much time does IRCTC refund take?

3–7 business days for online payment refunds. UPI/net banking: usually 3–5 days. Credit card: 5–7 days. IRCTC wallet: instant.

Can I cancel a Tatkal ticket?

Yes, but Tatkal tickets have higher cancellation charges. For AC Tatkal cancelled 48+ hours before: ₹240 minimum. 12–48 hours: 25% of full Tatkal fare. Under 12 hours: 50% of fare.

What if my waitlisted ticket gets cancelled automatically?

If your WL ticket doesn't get confirmed by chart preparation, Indian Railways automatically cancels it and refunds the full fare minus ₹30–60 clerkage. No manual action needed.

Can I cancel after chart is prepared?

No online cancellation after chart preparation. You must file TDR if your ticket is confirmed. For WL tickets, the refund is automatic.

Useful Links

Check your ticket directly, track train running status, or read related railway guides.

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Trust note

PNR Alert is an independent railway utility and guide platform. Use these pages for explanation and planning, but verify time-sensitive travel details with official railway sources before making final travel decisions.