Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains: Strict Cancellation Rules, No Refunds After Cutoff

Travelers planning to book the Vande Bharat Sleeper trains should be aware of the new cancellation rules, which are stricter than those for regular trains. Confirmed tickets for these trains will incur high cancellation charges, and after a certain deadline, no refund will be issued.

Cancellation Rules
According to the Times of India, cancellation of a confirmed Vande Bharat Sleeper ticket at any time will result in a minimum 25% deduction from the ticket fare.

• If the ticket is canceled 72 to 8 hours before the train’s departure, 50% of the fare will be deducted.
• If canceled less than 8 hours before departure, no refund will be provided.

This rule aligns with the new practice of preparing the reservation chart 8 hours before departure, compared to the earlier 4-hour window.

Why the Change?
These rules are significantly different from regular trains and even from Vande Bharat chair car services. Railway officials explain that the stricter rules are necessary because only confirmed tickets will be issued for these trains—there will be no RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) or waitlist system.

Comparison with Other Trains
In other trains:

• Canceling 48 hours before departure results in a fixed deduction (e.g., ₹240 for First AC, ₹200 for Second AC, ₹180 for Third AC, ₹120 for Sleeper Class, ₹60 for Second Class).
• Canceling 48 to 12 hours before departure incurs 25% of fare as penalty.
• Canceling 12 to 4 hours before departure incurs 50% deduction.
• No refund is given if the confirmed ticket is canceled less than 4 hours before departure or TDR is not filed online.

Fare and Quotas
The Railway Board has set a minimum fare for journeys of 400 km or more on Vande Bharat Sleeper trains. Reserved quotas are available only for women, senior citizens, differently-abled passengers, and duty-pass holders. No other reservations or concessions will apply, which could present a new challenge for general travelers.

Passengers are advised to plan their bookings carefully, as strict cancellation policies and limited quotas make these trains distinct from traditional Indian Railways services.