If you cannot travel or your train is badly delayed, you may be eligible for a refund on your rail ticket. Refunds are governed by the Railway Passengers (Cancellation and Refund of Fare) Rules, 2015. Here is a simple guide for e-tickets booked on IRCTC.
Cancelling a confirmed ticket
Cancellation charges depend on when you cancel before the scheduled departure:
- **More than 48 hours before:** a flat charge per passenger, which as per the rules is Rs 240 for AC First Class, Rs 200 for AC 2 tier, Rs 180 for AC 3 tier and AC Chair Car, Rs 120 for Sleeper and Rs 60 for Second Class, plus GST where applicable
- **Between 48 and 12 hours before:** 25 percent of the fare, subject to the minimum flat charge
- **Between 12 hours and 4 hours before:** 50 percent of the fare, subject to the minimum flat charge
- **After the chart is prepared, usually about 4 hours before departure:** no refund on cancelling a confirmed ticket, except through TDR in specific cases
Rules can be updated by the Railways, so check the IRCTC website before cancelling.
Waitlisted and RAC tickets
- E-tickets that remain fully waitlisted after the chart is prepared are cancelled automatically, and the fare is refunded after deducting a small clerkage charge.
- RAC and waitlisted tickets can be cancelled up to 30 minutes before departure with a clerkage deduction.
What is TDR
A Ticket Deposit Receipt (TDR) is a request for refund in special situations when you cannot cancel normally. Common reasons include:
- The train is late by more than three hours and you did not travel
- AC failure in your coach
- Travel in a lower class than booked
- The train is diverted and you did not travel
- Party partially travelled with a confirmed ticket
Also Read: Tatkal Ticket Booking on IRCTC: Timings, Aadhaar Authentication Rule, Charges and Refund Policy | Aadhaar PVC Card: How to Order It Online for Rs 50, Delivery Time and How to Track Your Order
How to file a TDR online
- Log in to the IRCTC website or app.
- Go to My Transactions and select File TDR.
- Choose the ticket and passengers, select the reason and submit.
File the TDR within the time limit given for each reason. Refunds under TDR are decided by the railways after checking records.
Tracking your refund
Refunds are credited to the same account or card used for booking. You can check status under My Transactions on IRCTC. Banks may take a few working days to show the credit.
Tips
- Cancel early to lose less money.
- For counter tickets, cancel at the reservation counter or on IRCTC using the PNR, as allowed.
- Keep screenshots of TDR requests.
Bottom line
Cancel before 48 hours to pay only a flat fee. If your train is very late and you do not travel, file a TDR on IRCTC within the time limit.
Source / स्रोत: IRCTC, Indian Railways
