India enacts new refund rules: free changes/cancellations within 48 hours, name corrections waived, refunds in 14 days.

With effect from February 24, 2026, India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has introduced new airline ticket refund regulations that permit travelers to modify or cancel their tickets for free within 48 hours of booking if their departure is more than seven days (for domestic travel) or fifteen days (for international travel). If tickets are purchased directly from the airline's website, name correction fees must be waived within 24 hours. Tickets bought through agents or portals are eligible for refunds, which must be handled within 14 business days. Increased complaints, including during IndiGo's 2025 flight disruptions, prompted the changes, which are intended to improve transparency and passenger rights.