Counter Ticket Cancellation Rules Explained-2025

Published by admin on June 3, 2025June 3, 2025

📌 Indian Railways- Rules for Counter Ticket Cancellation in 2025
If you booked a train ticket from the counter and gave your mobile number, you can now cancel your ticket online too! But there are a few rules and conditions you must follow. In this guide, we explain how and when you can cancel a PRS (Passenger Reservation System) counter ticket and how to collect your refund.

Read here the PROCEDURE for Cancellation of Counter Ticket Online through IRCTC website.

Counter Ticket Cancellation Rules in 2025

✅ Who Can Cancel Counter Tickets Online?

• Only those who gave a valid mobile number at the time of booking.
• Cancellation is allowed only in normal situations, not when:
  • The train is running late, or
  • The train is fully cancelled.

⏰ Time Limit for Online Cancellation

• Confirmed Tickets:
  • Cancel up to 4 hours before the train’s scheduled departure.
• RAC/Waitlisted Tickets:
  • Cancel up to 30 minutes before departure.

💰 Refund Rules

• Refund can be collected from any PRS counter by surrendering the original ticket if cancelled within the allowed time.
• If you miss the online cancellation window, you must collect your refund:
  • From the journey starting station, or
  • From nearby satellite PRS locations, as identified by Indian Railways.

📝 Tip: Before cancelling your ticket, check if you’ll be able to visit the journey-starting station to collect your refund.

🕒 Special Time Windows for Refund Collection

1. Trains departing between 6:01 PM and 6:00 AM:
   Refund available during first 2 hours of PRS counters opening on the next day.
2. Trains departing between 6:01 AM and 6:00 PM:
   Refund allowed up to 4 hours after scheduled departure, during working hours.

🔍 What Happens When You Cancel Online?

• Passenger and journey details are shown on IRCTC or 139 before cancellation.
• Once confirmed:
  • PNR is marked as “Cancelled but not Refunded”.
  • Seat is released.
  • Refund amount is displayed.

🎫 Special Ticket Types (Passes & PTOs)

• Privilege/Complimentary Passes:
  • Can be cancelled online.
  • Zero refund, but pass must be re-validated at the counter for future use.
• PTO Tickets (Privilege Ticket Orders):
  • Charged at 1/3rd fare.
  • Normal cancellation charges apply.
  • Often, the refund is less than cancellation charges, so cancelling may not be beneficial.
  • Still, cancellation is allowed online.

Indian Railways is making it easier to cancel counter tickets online, but the process still involves time-sensitive rules and manual refund collection. Always check the timing and station policies before cancelling.

Also Read

• Online train ticket booking on Railway e-PASS: IRCTC
• How to Book Train Tickets Without Hassle: 7 IRCTC Tips for 2025

🎟️ Counter Ticket Cancellation Rules– Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I cancel a counter ticket online?

Yes, you can cancel a counter ticket online only if you provided a valid mobile number at the time of booking.

2. When can I cancel a counter ticket online?

• Confirmed Tickets: Up to 4 hours before the train’s scheduled departure.
• RAC/Waitlisted Tickets: Up to 30 minutes before departure.

3. Can I cancel a counter ticket online if the train is delayed or cancelled?

No, online cancellation is not allowed in case of:

• Train running late, or
• Train fully cancelled.

You must visit the station counter for cancellation in such cases.

4. How do I get a refund after online cancellation of a counter ticket?

You must physically collect the refund by surrendering the original ticket at:

• Any PRS counter (if cancelled within allowed time), or
• Journey commencing station or nearby satellite PRS location (if time limit is exceeded).

✅ Always check if you can reach the station to collect the refund before cancelling online.

5. What if my train departs at night or early morning?

• If train departs between 6:01 PM and 6:00 AM:
  Refund can be collected during the first two hours of PRS counter opening on the next day.

6. What if my train departs during the day?

• If train departs between 6:01 AM and 6:00 PM:
  Refund can be collected within 4 hours after the scheduled departure, during PRS working hours.

7. What happens after I cancel a counter ticket online?

• Your passenger and journey details are shown before final confirmation.
• After cancellation:
  • The PNR is marked “Cancelled but not Refunded”.
  • Seat/berth is released.
  • Refund amount is displayed on the website.

8. Can I cancel Privilege Pass, Complimentary Pass, or PTO tickets online?

✅ Yes, here’s how it works:

• Privilege/Complimentary Pass Tickets:
  • Can be cancelled online.
  • No refund is given.
  • To reuse the pass, you must visit the counter to get it revalidated.
• PTO Tickets (Privilege Ticket Order):
  • Issued at 1/3rd fare.
  • Normal cancellation charges apply.
  • Sometimes, cancellation charge > ticket value, so no refund.
  • Still, online cancellation is permitted.

9. Can I collect the refund from any PRS counter?

Yes, if the cancellation is done within the allowed time limits.
If the time limit has passed, you must go to the journey starting station or a designated satellite location.

10. Is cancellation allowed through phone as well?

Yes, you can cancel counter tickets by calling Railway inquiry number 139, provided your mobile number was registered at the time of booking.

Here is link for Cancellation of Counter Ticket Online through IRCTC Website.