Amrit Bharat-II: Ticket Cancellation and Refund Rules Revised
Indian Railways has revised the rules related to ticket cancellation and refunds for Vande Bharat Sleeper Express and Amrit Bharat Express trains. The notification issued by the Ministry of Railways has been published in the Gazette of India.
Under the earlier system, these trains followed general cancellation rules. However, the new guidelines clearly define time limits and percentage-based deductions for ticket cancellations.
New Ticket Cancellation Rules
Cancellation 72 Hours or More Before Departure
If a passenger cancels the ticket 72 hours or more before the scheduled departure time, 25% of the fare will be deducted as a cancellation charge. The remaining amount will be refunded to the passenger.
Cancellation Between 72 Hours and 8 Hours
If the ticket is cancelled less than 72 hours but more than 8 hours before departure, 50% of the fare will be deducted. In this case, the passenger will receive only half of the ticket amount as a refund.
Cancellation Within 8 Hours of Departure
If the ticket is cancelled within 8 hours of the scheduled departure, no refund will be granted. Last-minute cancellations will result in forfeiture of the entire fare.
Old Rules vs New Changes
- Earlier, for general trains, cancelling tickets 48 hours in advance involved a nominal charge (₹120–₹240).
- Under the new rules, 25% fare deduction applies from the time of booking for Vande Bharat Sleeper and Amrit Bharat Express.
- RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) facility has been discontinued for these trains.
- Seats will now be either Confirmed or Waiting List only.
Passenger Information and Implementation
Indian Railways has directed all zonal railways to ensure that passengers are promptly informed about these revised rules.
- Information will be displayed at booking and reservation counters.
- Updates will be made on the railway website.
- Details will be available through enquiry offices and passenger information systems.
At a Glance
- 72 hours or more: 25% deduction, remaining refund
- 72–8 hours: 50% deduction, half refund
- Less than 8 hours: No refund
- RAC facility: Discontinued
Passengers are advised to plan ticket cancellations carefully to maximize refunds. Indian Railways has emphasized widespread dissemination of these updated rules across all information platforms.