Indian Railways has introduced significant changes to the ticket cancellation and refund rules. These updates specifically target tickets issued through Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVM) and general confirmed tickets. The primary goal of these changes is to stop brokerage and ensure more seats are available for genuine passengers.
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What are the new ATVM ticket refund rules
As per the directions issued on May 10, 2026, passengers who cancel tickets bought via ATVM will now receive their refund in cash. Earlier, passengers often had to rely on smart card holders or agents to get their money back. Now, the refund will not be credited to any agent’s smart card. Station staff will verify the ticket’s authenticity before handing over the cash. The Railway Board Director (Passenger Marketing) Sanjay Manocha issued these orders, which are being implemented in major divisions like Delhi, Ambala, Lucknow, Moradabad, and Firozpur.
Changes in general ticket cancellation and refund slabs
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav announced comprehensive changes that were implemented between April 1 and April 15, 2026. The window for getting a refund has been reduced, and the time limits for cancellation have been shifted to discourage last-minute cancellations.
| Cancellation Time | Refund Amount/Rule |
|---|---|
| More than 72 hours before departure | Maximum refund (after deducting cancellation charges) |
| Between 72 and 24 hours before departure | 25% of the fare will be deducted |
| Between 24 and 8 hours before departure | 50% of the fare will be deducted |
| Less than 8 hours before departure | No refund will be provided |
Other important updates for rail passengers
- Boarding Point Change: Passengers can now change their boarding station up to 30 minutes before the scheduled departure of the train.
- E-Ticket Refund: The requirement to file a Ticket Deposit Receipt (TDR) for e-tickets has been removed, and refunds will now be processed automatically.
- Counter Tickets: Passengers can now cancel counter tickets at any railway station instead of only at the station where the journey ends.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
ATVM टिकट कैंसिल करने पर पैसा कैसे मिलेगा
10 मई 2026 के नए नियमों के अनुसार, ATVM टिकट रद्द करने पर यात्री को अब सीधे नकद (Cash) रिफंड मिलेगा।
पुष्ट टिकट (Confirmed Ticket) कैंसिल करने पर रिफंड कब नहीं मिलेगा
अगर ट्रेन के प्रस्थान समय से 8 घंटे से कम समय पहले टिकट कैंसिल किया जाता है, तो कोई रिफंड नहीं मिलेगा।