Train Ticket Cancellation Rule Changed: There will be significant updates to the rules regarding train ticket cancellations. If you cancel your ticket within 8 hours of the train’s departure, you will not be eligible for a refund. Cancellations made between 8 and 24 hours will incur a 50% deduction, while those made between 24 and 72 hours will see a 25% deduction.
If you cancel more than 72 hours in advance, you will receive a full refund according to the previous rules. Moreover, offline tickets can now be canceled from any location; this option was previously restricted to the terminating station only. Additionally, you can modify your travel details up to 30 minutes before the train departs. All these changes will be implemented between April 1st and 15th.
Furthermore, you now have the option to change your boarding station up to 30 minutes before your train’s departure, which is particularly useful for those caught in traffic or delays. This feature was previously only available before the chart preparation, but it has now been enhanced for convenience and digitization. You can also switch your class if necessary, such as moving from 3rd AC to 2nd or Sleeper.
New facility to change boarding point
In a major relief to passengers, the Railways has amended the rules for changing boarding stations. Passengers can now change their boarding points up to 30 minutes before the train’s scheduled departure time. This feature will be especially beneficial for passengers living in large cities with multiple railway stations.
What was the rule earlier?
Until now, the facility to change boarding stations was only available until chart preparation. However, with the new rules in place, passengers will be able to avail this facility until the last minute, making travel more convenient. According to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, this change is also aimed at curbing ticket touts. Many touts used to book large numbers of tickets, only to later cancel them and profit from refunds. The new rules will curb such activities. These new rules will provide greater flexibility for travelers and increase transparency in the ticket booking system. However, late ticket cancellations may now incur greater losses.