Indian Railways Tightens Cancellation Rules for Premium Trains

No refund for Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat tickets cancelled within eight hours of departure

February 3, 2026: Indian Railways has introduced stricter ticket cancellation and refund norms for its premium Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat train services, significantly impacting passengers with confirmed bookings. Under the revised policy, confirmed tickets cancelled within eight hours of the scheduled departure will attract zero refund, a sharp departure from earlier norms and from the rules applicable to regular mail and express trains. The Railway Ministry said the changes are aimed at reducing last-minute cancellations, improving seat utilisation and enhancing operational efficiency on high-demand routes.

Under the new structure, passengers cancelling confirmed tickets on Vande Bharat Sleeper Express and Amrit Bharat II trains less than eight hours before departure will forfeit the entire fare. For cancellations made more than 72 hours in advance, a 25 per cent cancellation charge will apply, while cancellations between 72 and eight hours before departure will attract a 50 per cent charge, with the remaining amount refunded. The eight-hour no-refund rule applies uniformly across all classes on these premium services, replacing the more lenient refund slabs that existed earlier for long-distance trains.

Railway officials said the tighter rules reflect the unique nature of these services, where all tickets are issued with confirmed berths at the time of booking, unlike traditional trains that allow RAC or waiting list options. The move is intended to discourage last-minute plan changes, safeguard revenue, and ensure optimal use of limited seats. Passengers have been advised to firm up travel plans before booking, as late cancellations on these trains will no longer be eligible for refunds.