{"id":658,"date":"2025-07-25T15:53:59","date_gmt":"2025-07-25T15:53:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/railtravels.org\/?page_id=658"},"modified":"2025-07-25T15:53:59","modified_gmt":"2025-07-25T15:53:59","slug":"counter-ticket-cancellation-rules-irctc","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.reilsolar.com\/train\/counter-ticket-cancellation-rules-irctc\/","title":{"rendered":"Counter Ticket Cancellation Rules \u2013 IRCTC"},"content":{"rendered":"

Counter Ticket Cancellation Rules \u2013 IRCTC<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. This may be applicable only in case valid mobile number has been given at the time of booking.<\/strong><\/p>\n

2. Cancellation of tickets and refund of fare may be permitted for PRS counter tickets in normal circumstances only and not in case of late running of trains\/cancellation of train etc.<\/strong><\/p>\n

3. Online cancellation shall be permitted only upto 4 hours before the scheduled departure of the train if ticket is fully confirmed.<\/strong><\/p>\n

4. Online cancellation shall be permitted only upto 30 minutes before the scheduled departure of the train if ticket is RAC\/Waitlist.<\/strong><\/p>\n

5. For tickets cancelled (including return journey tickets) before 24 hours of scheduled train departure time:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Refund of fare as permissible can be collected on submission of original PRS counter ticket from any PRS counter of Indian Railways upto 4 hours before the scheduled departure time of the train in case of confirmed tickets and upto thirty minutes before the scheduled departure time of train in case of RAC\/waitlisted tickets.<\/strong><\/p>\n

6. For tickets cancelled (including return journey tickets) between 24 hours and upto 4 hours for the confirmed tickets and upto thirty minutes for RAC\/waitlisted tickets before the scheduled departure time: Refund of cancelled PRS counter tickets through IRCTC website or 139 at present is permitted only at the journey commencing station or nearby satellite PRS locations by surrendering original journey ticket. Please check the convenience of collecting refund from journey commencing station before cancelling your ticket<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 During first two hours of the opening of PRS counters on the next day for the tickets for the trains whose scheduled departure as under:- time is (i) between 1801 hours and 0600 hours.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Upto 4 hours after the scheduled departure of the train during the working hours of PRS counters\/current counters\/special counters where cancellation is permitted round the clock on the tickets for the trains whose scheduled departure time is (i) between 0601 hours and 1800 hours.<\/strong><\/p>\n

7. Passenger details (Viz.name, age, gender, booking status, current status) and journey details will be displayed on the website.<\/strong><\/p>\n

8. Once the passenger confirms full cancellation of PNR will be done and PNR will be marked as Cancelled but not refunded in the system. Seat\/berth will be released. Refund amount due will also be displayed to the passenger on website<\/strong><\/p>\n

9. All the privilege\/duty pass\/PTOs\/complimentary pass tickets may be allowed to be cancelled through website. In the case of pass zero refund is permissible however, for validity of the pass for fresh booking the passenger shall approach the counter to get the pass re-validated by marking the same cancelled against the earlier booked tickets as per prescribed rule.<\/strong><\/p>\n

PTO\u2019s tickets are issued on 1\/3rd of the total basic fares and normal cancellation charge is applicable in these tickets also. Therefore in many cases ticket value on PTOs is less than the cancellation charges therefore passengers may or may not cancel the tickets therefore cancellation across IRCTC website may be allowed in the case of PTOs also.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a complete and updated summary of the Counter Ticket Cancellation Rules<\/strong> under IRCTC and Indian Railways:<\/p>\n

\n

\ud83e\uddfe 1. Online Cancellation Now Available<\/h2>\n
    \n
  • As of March 29, 2025<\/strong>, passengers who provided a valid mobile number at the counter during booking<\/strong> can cancel their counter (PRS) tickets online via the IRCTC website<\/strong> or by calling 139<\/strong>. ([turn0search1]\ue202turn0search2\ue202turn0search6\ue201)<\/li>\n
  • Refund must still be collected in person<\/strong> by surrendering the original physical ticket<\/strong> at a PRS reservation counter. ([turn0search1]\ue202turn0search2\ue202turn0search6\ue201)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
    \n

    \ud83d\udccb 2. Timing Rules for Online Cancellation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Ticket Status<\/th>\nLast Time for Online Cancellation<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    Confirmed Ticket<\/strong><\/td>\nUp to 4 hours before departure<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    RAC \/ Waitlisted<\/strong><\/td>\nUp to 30 minutes before scheduled departure<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    These rules are aligned with the Railway Passengers (Cancellation & Refund of Fares) Rules, 2015<\/strong>. ([turn0search3]\ue202turn0search4\ue202turn0search8\ue201)<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
    \n

    \ud83d\udd27 3. Eligibility Conditions & Exclusions<\/h2>\n
      \n
    • Valid mobile number<\/strong> must be given at the time of booking. Otherwise, online cancellation isn’t permitted. ([turn0search3]\ue202turn0search4\ue202turn0search8\ue201)<\/li>\n
    • Not allowed<\/strong> in cases where:\n
        \n
      • The train is running late<\/strong>,<\/li>\n
      • The train is fully cancelled<\/strong>\u2014in such cases, cancellation must be done on-site<\/strong> at the reservation counter. ([turn0search3]\ue202turn0search4\ue201)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
        \n

        \ud83d\udcf1 4. How to Cancel Online (IRCTC \/ 139)<\/h2>\n
          \n
        1. Visit IRCTC \u2192 select \u201cCancel Ticket \u2192 Counter Ticket\u201d<\/strong>, or call 139<\/strong> and choose IVR option 6. ([turn0search10]\ue202turn0search9\ue202turn0search11\ue201)<\/li>\n
        2. Enter PNR<\/strong>, train number<\/strong>, and CAPTCHA.<\/li>\n
        3. Agree to rules and submit; you receive a one-time OTP<\/strong> on your registered mobile.<\/li>\n
        4. Verify the OTP and confirm cancellation.<\/li>\n
        5. You will see the refund amount<\/strong> and get an SMS with details and instructions for collecting the refund at a PRS counter. ([turn0search10]\ue202turn0search11\ue201)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
          \n

          \ud83d\udcb5 5. Refund Collection & Timing<\/h2>\n
            \n
          • Within the permitted online cancellation window<\/strong>:\n
              \n
            • Refund is available by surrendering the original ticket<\/strong> at any PRS counter<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
            • If missed timings<\/strong>:\n
                \n
              • Must collect refund at the journey commencement station<\/strong> or designated satellite PRS locations<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
              • Special time rules<\/strong>:\n
                  \n
                • Trains departing between 6:01 PM \u2013 6:00 AM<\/strong> \u2192 refund can be collected during the first 2 hours<\/strong> of PRS counter opening next day.<\/li>\n
                • For trains departing between 6:01 AM \u2013 6:00 PM<\/strong> \u2192 refunds available up to 4 hours after departure<\/strong>, during counter hours. ([turn0search4]\ue202turn0search9\ue202turn0search11\ue201)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                  \n

                  \u2139\ufe0f 6. Cancellation Charges & Policies<\/h2>\n
                    \n
                  • Cancellation charges for counter tickets<\/strong> follow standard IRCTC rules:\n
                      \n
                    • Confirmed e\u2011tickets<\/strong>:\n
                        \n
                      • \n

                        48 hrs before: flat charges (e.g. \u20b9240 for 1A, \u20b9200 for 2A, \u20b9180 for 3A\/CC\/3E, \u20b9120 for Sleeper, \u20b960 for 2S) \u00d7 per passenger.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/li>\n

                      • 48\u201312 hrs before departure: 25% of fare (subject to minimum slab).<\/li>\n
                      • 12\u20134 hrs before departure (up to chart): 50% of fare (subject to minimum slab).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
                      • RAC\/Waitlist e\u2011tickets: online cancellation allowed up to 30 min before departure. ([turn0search0]\ue202turn0reddit20\ue201)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
                      • For RAC\/waitlisted counter tickets<\/strong>, cancellation follows similar charges\u2014but refunds don\u2019t occur if rules are violated (e.g. missing the time cutoff). ([turn0reddit20]\ue202turn0news13\ue201)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                        \n

                        \u26a0\ufe0f 7. Risk of Traveling on a WL Counter Ticket<\/h2>\n
                          \n
                        • Waiting list counter tickets are now invalid for travel<\/strong>, regardless of class.<\/li>\n
                        • If caught travelling with a counter WL ticket:\n
                            \n
                          • You must pay travel fare<\/strong> and face a minimum \u20b9440 penalty<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
                          • The ticket is void and travel is not permitted. ([turn0reddit18]\ue201)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                            \n

                            \ud83e\uddfe 8. User Experiences & Pitfalls<\/h2>\n
                              \n
                            • Reddit users report having to pay full fare again<\/strong> when boarding without the physical ticket<\/strong>, even with a valid photo or soft copy. Physical ticket is mandatory. ([turn0reddit19]\ue201)<\/li>\n
                            • Others note that online cancellation helps<\/strong>, but refund must be collected from the same counter or station of booking. ([turn0reddit17]\ue201)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                              \n

                              \u2705 Summary Table<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
                              Rule Category<\/th>\nDetails<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
                              Online Cancellation<\/strong><\/td>\nAvailable if mobile number was provided during booking; via IRCTC or 139<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                              Time Limits<\/strong><\/td>\nConfirmed: up to 4 hrs before; RAC\/WL: up to 30 min before departure<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                              Refund Collection<\/strong><\/td>\nMust surrender original NR counter ticket at PRS counter<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                              Exclusions<\/strong><\/td>\nNo online cancellation if train delayed or cancelled<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                              Cancellation Charges<\/strong><\/td>\nAs per standard IRCTC rules based on class & timing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                              WL Travel<\/strong><\/td>\nCounter waiting-list tickets invalid; traveling with them incurs fines<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
                              \n

                              Would you like help with:<\/p>\n

                                \n
                              • Locating the nearest reservation counter for refund?<\/li>\n
                              • Checking fare penalties for specific train classes?<\/li>\n
                              • Step-by-step help with online cancellation or TDR process?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                                Counter Ticket Cancellation Rules \u2013 IRCTC 1. This may be applicable only in case valid mobile number has been given at the time of booking. 2. Cancellation of tickets and refund of fare may be permitted for PRS counter tickets in normal circumstances only and not in case of late running of trains\/cancellation of train […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":102,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-658","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reilsolar.com\/train\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/658","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reilsolar.com\/train\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reilsolar.com\/train\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reilsolar.com\/train\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/102"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reilsolar.com\/train\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=658"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.reilsolar.com\/train\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/658\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reilsolar.com\/train\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=658"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}