Introduction
If you booked a train ticket through IRCTC or its mobile app and can’t travel, you don’t need to visit the station to cancel it. You can cancel your train ticket online within minutes. This guide explains the IRCTC ticket cancellation process, refund rules, charges, and how to check the refund status.
Before You Begin
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This guide is for e-tickets booked through IRCTC/app. Physical counter tickets (i-tickets) have a different cancellation process.
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You can cancel an e-ticket before the chart is prepared (generally 4–6 hours before train departure). After chart preparation, you must file a TDR (Ticket Deposit Receipt) to claim a refund.
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For Tatkal confirmed tickets, no refund is provided. Rules differ for waitlisted Tatkal tickets.
Step-by-Step: How to Cancel Train Ticket Online via IRCTC Website
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Login to IRCTC
Go to www.irctc.co.in and log in with your username and password. -
Open Booked Tickets History
From the top menu, go to My Account → My Transactions → Booked Ticket History. -
Select the Ticket
Find the PNR you wish to cancel and click on it. -
Choose Passengers (Optional)
If you want to cancel only a few passengers, select their names (partial cancellation is allowed). -
Click “Cancel Ticket”
Confirm the cancellation. You will see the refund amount on the screen. You will also receive an SMS/email confirmation.
💡 On the IRCTC Mobile App, the process is similar: Menu → My Transactions → Booked Tickets → Cancel.
How to Cancel Counter (i-Ticket) Bookings
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For i-tickets, visit the nearest Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counter with your ticket printout.
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In some cases, you can use IRCTC’s counter ticket cancellation portal by entering PNR, train number, and captcha.
After Chart Preparation – Filing TDR
If the chart is prepared, direct cancellation is not possible. In this case:
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Login to IRCTC.
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Go to My Account → My Transactions → File TDR.
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Select the PNR and reason for filing TDR (train late >3 hrs, train cancelled, coach not attached, passenger did not travel due to valid reason, etc.).
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Submit the form to get a TDR reference number for tracking.
Refund after TDR filing may take 30–60 days depending on the case.
IRCTC Cancellation Charges (Summary)
| Time Before Departure | Refund Deduction (per passenger) |
|---|---|
| More than 48 hrs | Flat fee (AC First ₹240, AC 2-tier ₹200, AC 3-tier/Chair Car ₹180, Sleeper ₹120, Second Sitting ₹60) |
| 48–12 hrs | 25% of the base fare (minimum flat fee applies) |
| 12–4 hrs | 50% of the base fare (minimum flat fee applies) |
| Less than 4 hrs / After chart | No refund (TDR required for eligible cases) |
| RAC/Waitlist | Clerkage ₹60 per passenger if cancelled up to 30 minutes before departure |