The Indian Railways has announced new rules to reduce last-minute cancellations and improve seat utilization on Vande Bharat Sleeper Express and Amrit Bharat II trains.
Passengers cancelling a confirmed ticket less than eight hours before departure will no longer receive any refund.
These rules were notified on January 16, 2026, under amendments to the Railway Passengers (Cancellation of Ticket and Refund of Fare) Rules, 2015.
These changes apply only to premium trains with 100% confirmed berths, unlike regular mail and express trains.
Key Changes in Cancellation Charges
No refund if a ticket is cancelled within 8 hours of departure.
25% cancellation charge applies if cancelled more than 72 hours before departure.
Earlier, premium train passengers could get partial refunds even up to 4 hours before departure, but this option has been removed.
Passengers now need to plan travel carefully, as late cancellations could result in complete loss of fare.
Why the New Rules?
Premium trains like Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat II operate on a 100% confirmed berth policy, meaning there are no waitlisted or RAC tickets.
Previously, last-minute cancellations left berths unused, causing revenue loss and inefficient seat utilization. These new norms are designed to:
Discourage casual or last-minute cancellations
Ensure berths are fully occupied
Passengers are advised to finalize travel plans early and cancel tickets well in advance if needed to avoid financial loss.
For the Railways, this step is part of a broader effort to improve efficiency and streamline operations on premium train services.
