IRCTC ticket cancellation charges depend on your class and on how close you cancel to departure. On a confirmed e-ticket, the fee starts as a flat amount per passenger and then rises to 25% or 50% of the fare. This guide uses IRCTC’s own pages, so you can plan a cancellation before it costs you more.

Quick answer

  • More than 48 hours before departure: flat fee from ₹60 to ₹240 per passenger, by class.
  • 48 to 12 hours before: 25% of the fare, with the flat fee as a minimum.
  • 12 to 4 hours before: 50% of the fare, with the flat fee as a minimum.
  • After chart preparation, an e-ticket cannot be cancelled online. File a TDR instead.

IRCTC ticket cancellation charges by class

These are the flat charges per passenger when you cancel a confirmed ticket more than 48 hours before departure. IRCTC’s page lists them for cancellation before chart preparation.

Class Flat charge per passenger
AC First or Executive Class ₹240
AC 2 Tier or First Class ₹200
AC 3 Tier, AC Chair Car or AC 3 Economy ₹180
Sleeper ₹120
Second Class ₹60

For trains that IRCTC itself operates, its separate rules list the charges plus GST. So the amount on your cancellation screen may differ slightly.

How the time windows work

The fee grows as departure gets closer. Between 48 and 12 hours before departure, IRCTC keeps 25% of the fare, but never less than the flat charge. Then, from 12 hours down to 4 hours, it keeps 50% of the fare, again with the flat charge as a minimum.

Within 4 hours of departure, you get no refund unless you cancel or file a TDR online by the four hour mark. For example, a ticket for a 6 pm train needs action before 2 pm. So set a reminder if your plans are uncertain.

What happens at chart preparation

You can cancel an e-ticket online only until the chart is prepared. IRCTC says e-tickets cannot be cancelled at face to face railway counters. For trains leaving up to 12 noon, the chart is usually prepared the previous night.

After the chart, use the File Ticket Deposit Receipt option under the Services menu on the IRCTC site. The refund then goes back to your original payment account after the Railways processes it.

Special cases to know

  • RAC tickets: you get no refund unless you cancel or file a TDR online by 30 minutes before departure.
  • Tatkal tickets: a confirmed Tatkal ticket is not refundable when you cancel it. Partial cancellation is allowed.
  • Train cancelled: if the system marks the train as cancelled, you can claim a full refund within three days of the scheduled departure.
  • Train very late: on IRCTC operated trains, a delay of more than three hours earns a full refund if no one on the PNR travels and you file a TDR before the train departs.
  • Waitlisted tickets on IRCTC operated trains: cancelling up to four hours before departure costs ₹20 plus GST per passenger. If everyone stays waitlisted after the first chart, the ticket cancels automatically with a full refund.
  • Partial cancellation: allowed for normal e-tickets. Print a fresh reservation slip for the remaining passengers.

Common mistakes that cost money

The biggest mistake is waiting until the last few hours. Because the fee jumps from 25% to 50%, a few hours can change your refund a lot. Also, many travellers forget that counters cannot cancel an e-ticket.

Another mistake is skipping the TDR after chart preparation. However, a TDR does not guarantee money back, because the Railways reviews each claim. So keep your PNR and train details ready, and file as early as you can.

FAQ

What are IRCTC ticket cancellation charges for Sleeper class?

The flat charge is ₹120 per passenger when you cancel more than 48 hours before departure. Closer to departure, the fee becomes 25% or 50% of the fare, with ₹120 as the minimum.

Can I cancel an IRCTC e-ticket after the chart is prepared?

No, not online. IRCTC asks you to file a TDR instead, and the refund follows after the Railways processes it.

Do I get a refund on a confirmed Tatkal ticket?

No refund is given when you cancel a confirmed Tatkal ticket. Different rules apply if the train itself is cancelled.

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