Have RAC, Tatkal train ticket refund rules changed?

Have rules for RAC and Tatkal ticket cancellations been also changed?

Maximum refund window

No-refund window extended

Conditions for 25%, 50% ticket refund changed

To resolve last-minute train ticket cancellation issues and to curb agent manipulations, Indian Railways has recently come up with revised ticket cancellation refund rules. The revised ticket refund rules are set to be implemented from April 1 and April 15, 2026. The key changes include refund timelines and deduction slabs, impacting refunds passengers will get on the cancellation of train tickets.There is no change in cancellation rules for RAC and Tatkal tickets. Retaining the existing guideline, Railways won’t provide any refund if a passenger cancels a confirmed Tatkal ticket. In case of contingent cancellations or waitlisted Tatkal tickets, charges will continue to be deducted as per the existing Railway rules. However, partial cancellation of Tatkal e-tickets is still allowed.For RAC e-tickets, no refund will be allowed if the ticket is not cancelled or if a TDR (Ticket Deposit Receipt) is not filed online up to 30 minutes before the scheduled departure of the train.Also read: Setback for railway passengers: Soon, no refund if reserved ticket is cancelled up to 8 hours before journey, lesser refunds in other cases Which train ticket cancellation refund changes will be implemented from April 1 and April 15, 2026.Passengers cancelling tickets more than 72 hours before the departure of the train will receive the maximum refund after the deduction of a flat cancellation charge. Earlier, this cancellation window limit was up to 48 hours.Another important change is the no-refund window has been extended from 4 hours to 8 hours. Under the existing rules, a passenger doesn't get any refund if they cancel their ticket within less than four hours of the departure of the train or after chart preparation.Under the revised rule, the passenger won't get any refund if they cancel their ticket within less than 8 hours before the departure of the train.If the ticket is cancelled between 72 hours and 24 hours before departure, 25% of the fare will be deducted. For cancellations made between 24 hours and 8 hours before the departure of the train, 50% of the fare will be deducted.Under the existing rule, 25% of the fare is deducted (subject to a minimum flat charge) if a ticket is cancelled within 48 hours to 12 hours of the departure of the train, while 50% of the fare is deducted (subject to a minimum charge) if a ticket is cancelled within 12 hours to 4 hours before the departure of the train.