Indian Railways has introduced several changes to ticket booking and cancellation rules starting May 1, 2026. These updates aim to improve digital security and stop illegal ticket hoarding by brokers. Passengers will now face stricter refund policies and new entry requirements at stations.
What are the new ticket cancellation and refund rules?
The refund policy for confirmed tickets has become more strict to prevent last-minute cancellations. Passengers will now get no refund if they cancel a confirmed ticket less than 8 hours before the train departs. Previously, this limit was 4 hours. The details of the deduction are as follows:
| Cancellation Time | Refund Deduction |
|---|---|
| 8 to 24 hours before departure | 50% of fare |
| 24 to 72 hours before departure | 25% of fare |
| More than 72 hours before departure | Maximum refund |
Waiting and RAC tickets still have a cancellation charge of ₹20 plus GST. If a ticket remains fully waitlisted after chart preparation, it will be cancelled automatically with a full refund.
What are the new rules for booking and station entry?
To stop fake bookings, Indian Railways is now strictly implementing Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for online tickets. This means passengers may need to provide an OTP or biometric verification more frequently. The railway is also using Aadhaar-based OTP and anti-bot technology to block brokers.
- Boarding Station: Passengers can now change their boarding station up to 30 minutes before the train’s scheduled departure, even after the chart is prepared.
- Platform Entry: QR tickets are now mandatory for entering platforms. No entry will be allowed without a digital QR ticket.
- Full Refund: If a train is cancelled or delayed by more than 3 hours, passengers can claim a full refund by filing a TDR.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If I cancel my confirmed ticket 5 hours before the train leaves, will I get a refund?
No, as per the new rules effective from May 1, 2026, no refund will be provided if a confirmed ticket is cancelled less than 8 hours before the train’s departure.
Can I change my boarding station after the chart is prepared?
Yes, passengers can now change their boarding station up to 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time of the train.
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