Lok Sabha Question No. 73 (STARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Revenue earned by Railways on Ticket Cancellation
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Sunil Kumar, Shri Ramprit Mandal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 73 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026

## REVENUE EARNED BY RAILWAYS ON TICKET CANCELLATION

- †*73. Shri Ramprit Mandal: Shri Sunil Kumar:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the revenue earned by the Railways from cancellations of tickets during the last three years;
- (b)  the  details  of  the  revenue  earned  by  the  Railways  from  non-refund  of money against confirmed tickets and tickets reserved under Tatkal seva in the cases where passengers have not travelled during the last three years;
- (c) whether the concessions previously granted to senior citizens, women and  persons  with  disabilities  (Divyangjan)  on  the  purchase  of  railway tickets have been discontinued and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to restore the concessions given by the Railways to senior citizens, women and Divyangjans on tickets and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the Government has data on the increase in revenue earned by the Railways due to the removal of senior citizen concessions based on the age-wise details of ticket-booked passengers so far and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) whether the Government proposes to provide priority to the senior citizens for travelling in trains and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (f): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (f)  OF  STARRED QUESTION NO.73 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026 IN LOK SABHA

(a) to (f) Cancellation of ticket and refund of fare is governed by the Railway Passengers  (Cancellation  of  Ticket  and  Refund  of  Fare)  Rules,  2015,  as amended  from  time  to  time.  Revenue  earned  by  the  Railways  from cancellation of tickets and non-refund of money against confirmed tickets and tickets reserved under Tatkal seva in the cases where passengers have not travelled is not maintained separately.

Indian Railways strives to provide affordable services to all strata of the society and gave subsidy of   60,466 crore on passenger tickets in 2023-24. This  amounts  to  concession  of  45%  on  an  average,  to  every  person, travelling on Railways. In other words, if the cost of providing service is 100, then the price of ticket is 55 only. This subsidy is continuing for all passengers. Further, concessions beyond this subsidy amount are continuing for many categories like 4 categories of Persons with Disabilities

(Divyangjans), 11 categories of patients and 8 categories of students.

Indian Railways provide various facilities for the convenience of passengers including Senior Citizens. Some of the facilities extended to Senior Citizens are as under:

- i. Allotment of lower berths to male passengers of 60 years and above and Female passengers of 45 years and above automatically, even if no choice is given, subject to availability.
- ii. Earmarking of a combined quota of six to seven lower berths per coach in Sleeper class, four to five lower berths per coach each in Air Conditioned 3 tier (3AC) and three to four lower berths per coach in Air Conditioned 2 tier (2AC) classes (depending on the number of coaches  of  that  class  in  the  train)  for  senior  citizens,  female passengers 45 years of age and above and pregnant women.
- iii. Allotment  of  lower  berths  falling  vacant  in  the  train  to  senior citizens,  Persons  with  Disabilities  or  pregnant  women  (who  have been allotted middle/upper berth) on priority.
- iv. Earmarking of unreserved accommodation for senior citizens in 2nd class general compartment on suburban sections of Indian Railways.
- v. Earmarking of separate counters at various Passengers Reservation System (PRS) centers for dealing with the reservation requisitions received  from  senior  citizens  subject  to  demand  pattern  and availability of counters.

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