Indian Railways has introduced stringent cancellation and refund rules for the recently launched Vande Bharat sleeper trains, aiming to streamline travel and reduce last-minute uncertainties. A key policy dictates that no refund will be admissible if a confirmed ticket is cancelled less than eight hours before the scheduled departure of the train. This marks a notable shift from general railway cancellation norms. For tickets cancelled between 72 hours and up to eight hours before departure, passengers will incur a 50% deduction of the fare. If a confirmed ticket is cancelled more than 72 hours in advance, a 25% cancellation charge will be applied. Another significant change is that the Vande Bharat sleeper trains will operate exclusively with confirmed tickets, meaning there will be no provision for Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) or waitlisted tickets. This policy aims to ensure all passengers have a confirmed berth, enhancing planning and convenience for long-distance overnight journeys. The Railway Board has also specified that the minimum chargeable distance for these premium services will be 400 km. Only certain reservation quotas will be applicable, including those for ladies, persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and duty pass holders, with no other reservation quotas, such as VIP or emergency quotas, being permitted. Digital payments are preferred for ticket purchases to facilitate quicker refund processing within 24 hours of cancellation. The first Vande Bharat sleeper train was recently flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, connecting Guwahati and Howrah.