Change train's boarding point 30 minutes before departure: New key reforms, cancellation charges announced

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced a handful of reforms at a press conference today. At the conference, the minister said that soon passengers will be able to change their train's boarding point and even upgrade their class just about 30 minutes before its departure. This means they wouldn't have to worry about chart preparation as they do now. This new set of announcements was made a few days after the IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) announced the formation of QR-based identity cards and food packets that can be digitally traceable, to ensure food safety. Here are the other key reforms announced today.  At the same time, now on, counter ticket cancellations can be done at any railway station counter across India. 

New cancellation charges
Here are the new changes in cancellation charges of train tickets:
1) For cancellations before 72 hours, minimum flat cancellation charges will apply. According to IRCTC, these are:
AC First Class / Executive: ₹240
AC 2 Tier / First Class: ₹200
AC 3 Tier / Chair Car / 3E: ₹180
Sleeper: ₹120
Second Class: ₹60 

2) For cancellations between 72 and 24 hours, 25%  of the fare will be a penalty.
3) For cancellations between eight and 24 hours, 50% of the ticket will be refunded.
4) For cancellations less than eight hours, there will be no refund.
5) There will be no refund on tickets after the train's departure.