New refund rules 2026: Indian Railways has announced updated refund rules for confirmed train tickets, effective 2026. The new guidelines detail the refund amount based on how soon a passenger cancels their ticket before the train’s departure.
Key Refund Rules for Confirmed Tickets
- More than 72 hours before departure: Passengers can claim the maximum refund, with only a minimum flat cancellation fee per passenger applied.
- 72 to 24 hours before departure: A 25% deduction from the ticket fare will be charged as cancellation penalty.
- 24 to 8 hours before departure: 50% of the fare will be deducted upon cancellation.
- Less than 8 hours before departure: No refund will be issued.
Passengers are advised to plan cancellations carefully to avoid losing a significant portion of the ticket fare.
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Aadhaar Authentication Rules for Ticket Booking
Last year, Indian Railways introduced several changes to the ticket booking system. From October 1, 2025, Aadhaar authentication became mandatory for passengers booking reserved tickets under the general quota via the IRCTC website or mobile app during the first 15 minutes of the booking window.
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The rule aims to ensure that genuine passengers benefit from the reservation system while preventing misuse by unauthorized entities.
Tatkal Booking Rules
Aadhaar verification has also been made compulsory for Tatkal bookings since July 1, 2025. Only passengers completing Aadhaar verification via the IRCTC website or app can book Tatkal tickets.
Additionally, restrictions for authorized railway ticketing agents have been imposed:
Agents cannot book Tatkal tickets in the first 30 minutes of the booking window on the first day.
Timing restrictions: 10:00 am to 10:30 am for AC classes and 11:00 am to 11:30 am for non-AC classes.