Big Changes in Railway Ticket Rules: No Refund Within 8 Hours, Aadhaar Must for Tatkal

Indian Railways introduces major reforms in ticket booking and cancellation, including Aadhaar-based Tatkal booking, revised refund rules, and early chart preparation. The changes aim to curb misuse, improve transparency, and provide better convenience for genuine passengers.

Post Published By: Karan Sharma

Updated : 26 March 2026, 12:44 AM IST

Railways Tightens Ticket Rules, Boosts Passenger Convenience (Image Source: Internet)

New Delhi: The government has implemented significant changes to the railway ticket booking and cancellation system. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that these changes have been introduced under the "Reform Express" initiative. The objective is to curb the black marketing of tickets and provide greater convenience to ordinary passengers, reports Dynamite News correspondent.

Aadhaar Mandatory for Tatkal Bookings

Now, Aadhaar-based OTP verification will be mandatory for booking Tatkal tickets. This measure aims to curb fraudulent bookings and prevent agents from hoarding tickets. With the aid of technology, the railways have also deactivated approximately 30 million fraudulent IRCTC accounts, thereby making it easier for genuine passengers to secure tickets.

Reservation Charts to be Prepared Earlier

Previously, the reservation chart for a train was prepared approximately four hours prior to departure; however, it will now be prepared between 9 and 18 hours in advance. This will allow passengers on the waiting list to ascertain their status well in advance, enabling them to plan their travel more effectively.

Major Changes to Cancellation Rules

The government has also revised the timelines and refund regulations for ticket cancellations:

• Cancelling a ticket 72 hours or more in advance will yield the maximum refund (subject only to a nominal deduction).
• Cancelling between 72 and 24 hours prior to departure will result in a deduction of 25% of the fare.
• Cancelling between 24 and 8 hours prior to departure will result in a deduction of 50% of the fare.
• No refund will be granted for cancellations made less than 8 hours prior to departure.
• The purpose of these regulations is to deter fraudulent or unnecessary last-minute bookings.

Cancellations Made Easier

Passengers can now cancel their counter-booked tickets at any railway station across the country. Previously, this facility was available only at the specific station where the ticket was originally purchased.

Furthermore, the requirement for a Ticket Deposit Receipt (TDR) for e-tickets has been abolished. Refunds will now be processed automatically as soon as a ticket is cancelled.

New Facilities for Passengers

Several new facilities have also been introduced for the benefit of passengers:

Passengers can now upgrade their class of travel up to 30 minutes prior to the train's scheduled departure. The boarding station can also be changed online up to 30 minutes prior to departure.

These enhancements will provide passengers with greater flexibility and make their travel experience more convenient.

Why Were These Changes Necessary?

The railway ticketing system has long been plagued by issues such as black marketing, agent interference, and fraudulent bookings. These new rules will enhance transparency and benefit genuine passengers.

These new railway regulations could prove beneficial for passengers. While, on one hand, fraudulent bookings will be curbed, on the other, passengers will gain access to more amenities and better opportunities for planning their travel.