Vande Bharat Cancellation Charges and Refund Policy (2026)
Vande Bharat cancellation charges are different from normal trains. In Chair Car (CC) and Executive Class (EC), there is no refund if you cancel less than 4 hours before departure, while in Vande Bharat Sleeper this limit is 8 hours.
In this guide you will get latest 2026 refund rules — different cancellation charges for CC, EC and Sleeper, waitlist refund, TDR process after chart preparation, and how much money you get back.
By: Vikas Sonkar | Last Update: September 2026
Need help with cancellation or booking?
Chat on WhatsApp → Message Us Now
Quick Summary (2026)
Before we go into details, here is a quick look at the main rules:
1. Vande Bharat Chair Car (CC) & Executive Class (EC):
- More than 48 hours before departure: Only flat charge (CC: ₹180 + GST, EC: ₹240 + GST)
- Between 48 hours and 12 hours: 25% of the fare is deducted
- Between 12 hours and 4 hours: 50% of the fare is deducted
- Less than 4 hours: No refund
2. Vande Bharat Sleeper (Overnight):
- More than 72 hours: 25% of fare deducted.
- 72 hours to 8 hours: 50% of fare deducted.
- Less than 8 hours: No refund.
3. Fully Waitlisted Ticket (WL):
IRCTC automatically cancels and refunds (after a small charge of ₹60 + GST per passenger for premium AC classes).
4. Chart Prepared:
After chart preparation, you cannot cancel directly. You must file TDR online.
Vande Bharat Cancellation Charges & Refund for CC & EC
If you are travelling on the regular seating Vande Bharat trains (AC Chair Car or Executive Class), the standard partial refund timings apply.
| Time Before Departure | Cancellation Charge | Refund You Get |
|---|---|---|
| More than 48 hours | CC: ₹180 + GST EC: ₹240 + GST |
Full fare refund |
| 48 hours to 12 hours | 25% of total fare | 75% refund |
| 24 hours to 4 hours | 50% of total fare | 50% refund |
| Less than 4 hours | No refund | 0% (No refund) |
Vande Bharat Sleeper Refund Rules
To prevent last-minute cancellations on the highly premium long-distance Vande Bharat Sleeper trains, the Railway Ministry has implemented an incredibly strict refund framework: 
| Time Before Departure | Cancellation Charge | Refund You Get |
|---|---|---|
| More than 72 hours | 25% of fare | 75% |
| 72 hours to 8 hours | 50% of fare | 50% |
| Less than 8 hours | No refund | 0% (No refund) |
How Much Money is Deducted on Waitlist (WL) and RAC Tickets?
If you are traveling with heavy luggage (large suitcases), your experience will be completely different in both classes.
- Online Waitlist (Automatic Refund): If your online e-ticket stays fully waitlisted (WL) after the final chart is prepared, you are legally not allowed to board the train. IRCTC will automatically cancel your booking.
A flat clerkage charge of ₹60 + GST per passenger is deducted, and your entire remaining amount is credited back to your original payment account within 3 to 5 working days.
- RAC or Partially Confirmed Tickets: If you hold an RAC ticket or a group PNR where some members are confirmed and others are waitlisted, you can cancel it up to 30 minutes before the scheduled departure.
In this case, only a clerkage fee of ₹60 + GST per passenger is deducted.
How to Claim a Refund After the Chart is Prepared? (TDR Rules)
The moment the status on your IRCTC panel changes to Chart Prepared the direct cancellation button disappears.
- To claim any money back after this stage, filing a TDR (Ticket Deposit Receipt) online is the only legal option available.
When Can You File TDR?
You can easily file a TDR if you could not travel due to these common railway or personal reasons:🌿
Train was late by more than 3 hours.
You could not travel due to medical emergency (with proof).
Train was cancelled by Railways.
AC not working, or other major issue.
How to File TDR Online (Step-by-Step)
If you want to claim your refund online, just follow these simple steps:🌿
- Go to IRCTC website or app.
Click on File TDR under Services.
Enter your PNR number.
Select the reason for TDR.
Upload any proof (if needed).
Submit the form.
How Long Does TDR Refund Take?
The waiting time depends on how fast the railways verify your ticket. Here is what happens next:
- If approved: You will get your money back in your bank account within 7–15 working days.
- If rejected: You will not get any refund if your reason is wrong.
- Track status: You can easily check the live progress anytime on the IRCTC website or app.
Looking For A Trusted Travel Agent?
If you prefer to stay away from unnecessary hassle and want assistance with your travel-related queries, you can contact us.
- With your permission, we can help you with your booking-related questions and provide travel assistance based on the information available to us.
- You can simply send us a message on WhatsApp.
Need help with cancellation or booking?
Chat on WhatsApp → Message Us Now
Our Advice (Vikas Sonkar)
The most important thing to remember is that Vande Bharat charts are made very early.
Since it is a premium train, the charts are usually ready well before departure time.
- If your travel plans are getting postponed or cancelled, do not wait for the final 8 hour deadline (which is now strictly the same for EC, CC and Sleeper coaches).
- The moment you confirm that you aren’t travelling, cancel the ticket immediately to protect yourself from severe financial deductions.
- Additionally, if you simply want to alter your travel dates rather than losing money on a cancellation, you can now use IRCTC’s online travel date modification tool to shift your journey safely without cancelling your current ticket.
Related Guides:
Vande Bharat Cancellation: Trending Questions
No, you will lose your refund. If you try to change your boarding station online within 24 hours of the train's departure and then decide to cancel the ticket, Indian Railways rules state you are eligible for a 0% refund.
No, you cannot get a full refund for a 2-hour delay. According to IRCTC refund rules, a passenger can only claim a 100% refund without any cancellation fee if the premium train is delayed by more than 3 hours at your boarding point.
Yes, you get it back proportionally. When you cancel your ticket within the valid refund windows (before 8 hours), the catering charges are bundled into the total amount, and the standard slab percentage is calculated on the full price including food.
No, refunds are not allowed for Tatkal tickets. Indian Railways has a strict policy that no refund is granted upon the cancellation of confirmed Tatkal tickets. You only get money back if the train itself is officially cancelled.
Yes, you can cancel it for a partial refund. If you have a partially confirmed family ticket, you can cancel the entire booking online up to 30 minutes before departure. A clerkage fee of ₹60 + GST per passenger will be cut, and the rest is refunded.
No, you do not need to file a TDR for cancelled trains. If Indian Railways cancels the entire Vande Bharat service due to weather or technical issues, IRCTC processes a full automatic refund to your bank account without any human effort.
Vikas Sonkar
Hello friends, I am Vikas Sonkar. I run my own local travel agency from home for 5 years, helping thousands of people plan safe and easy trips. With this experience, I started BookVandeBharat. This website helps you find all details about Vande Bharat Express. You can easily check ticket fares, timings, train routes, and seat availability for a hassle-free booking experience.