Indian Railways May Scrap Clerkage Fee on Cancelled Tickets to Benefit Passengers

In a potential move to ease the financial burden on passengers, Indian Railways is reviewing its ticket cancellation policy and may soon reduce—or completely eliminate—the clerkage fee currently charged during cancellations, especially for waitlisted tickets. This move is part of a broader effort to modernize operations and make travel more affordable for millions of Indians.

Refund Relief Likely for Waitlisted Passengers

As per current rules, passengers cancelling confirmed or waitlisted tickets are charged a clerkage fee of ₹60 for reserved seats in both AC and non-AC coaches. Second-class unreserved passengers pay ₹30. This fee is applicable even when waitlisted tickets are cancelled, which has long irked passengers who never got a confirmed seat but still saw deductions from their refund.

Now, the Railway Board is considering changes that could either reduce or waive this clerkage fee, especially for passengers with unconfirmed bookings. Officials acknowledge that these passengers face a “double loss”—no confirmed seat and reduced refunds—and seek to address this issue in the interest of fairer service.

Shift to Online Booking Drives Policy Review

Railway officials noted that the review is driven in part by a growing shift to online bookings, with travellers increasingly using the IRCTC platform instead of traditional ticket counters. This shift has reduced operational costs, leading the Railways to rethink the necessity of maintaining administrative charges like clerkage.

“Digital adoption gives us the room to rework certain charges. If we pass on some of the cost benefits to passengers, we can increase ridership and goodwill,” said a senior Railway official familiar with the consultation process.

Tatkal Bookings Tightened with Aadhaar Requirement

Alongside the proposed cancellation fee changes, the Railways has also moved to tighten regulations around Tatkal bookings. From June 1, 2025, last-minute Tatkal reservations on the IRCTC platform are now restricted to users with Aadhaar-based identity verification, ensuring greater transparency and curbing misuse.

The IRCTC also continues to levy convenience charges for online bookings—₹30 for AC tickets and ₹15 for non-AC classes—to maintain the digital infrastructure.

Passenger-Friendly Move in the Pipeline

If approved, the scrapping or reduction of clerkage fees could offer financial relief to millions of budget-conscious passengers, particularly those who often travel with waitlisted or unconfirmed tickets. It would also position Indian Railways as a more passenger-centric and modern transport utility, focused on affordability and access.

The proposed reform is currently in the consultation stage, and an official announcement is expected once internal reviews and feedback are completed.