Understanding IRCTC refund rules is crucial when you need to cancel your train ticket. This comprehensive guide explains cancellation charges, refund timelines, and the complete process to claim your money back.
IRCTC Cancellation Charges
Confirmed Tickets - AC Classes
| Time Before Departure | Cancellation Charge |
|---|---|
| More than 48 hours | ?240 per passenger |
| 48 hours to 12 hours | 25% of fare (Min ?200, Max ?240) |
| 12 hours to 4 hours | 50% of fare (Min ?200, Max ?240) |
| Less than 4 hours | No refund |
Confirmed Tickets - Non-AC Classes
| Time Before Departure | Cancellation Charge |
|---|---|
| More than 48 hours | ?120 per passenger |
| 48 hours to 12 hours | 25% of fare (Min ?100, Max ?120) |
| 12 hours to 4 hours | 50% of fare (Min ?100, Max ?120) |
| Less than 4 hours | No refund |
RAC and Waitlisted Tickets
- RAC Tickets: Full refund minus clerkage charge (?60) if cancelled before chart preparation
- Waitlisted Tickets: Automatically cancelled after chart preparation with full refund minus clerkage
- Manual Cancellation: Full refund minus clerkage if cancelled before chart preparation
Tatkal Tickets
- Tatkal tickets are non-refundable
- No refund on cancellation under normal circumstances
- Full refund given only if train is cancelled, diverted, or AC failure
- Tatkal charges are never refunded
How to Cancel IRCTC Ticket
Online Cancellation via Website
- Login to your IRCTC account at www.irctc.co.in
- Go to "My Transactions" or "Booked Ticket History"
- Find the ticket you want to cancel
- Click on "Cancel Ticket" button
- Select passengers to cancel (can cancel partial passengers)
- Confirm cancellation
- Cancellation confirmation will be sent via SMS and email
- Refund will be processed automatically
Online Cancellation via Mobile App
- Open IRCTC Rail Connect app
- Go to "My Bookings" or "Booked Tickets"
- Select the ticket to cancel
- Tap "Cancel Ticket"
- Choose passengers to cancel
- Confirm cancellation
- Receive confirmation notification
Offline Cancellation at Counter
- Visit railway reservation counter
- Carry original e-ticket printout or SMS
- Carry valid ID proof
- Fill cancellation form
- Submit and get cancellation receipt
- Refund will be credited to original payment source
Refund Timeline
Online Booking Refunds
- Credit/Debit Card: 7-10 working days
- Net Banking: 7-10 working days
- UPI/Wallets: 5-7 working days
- IRCTC iPay Wallet: Instant to 24 hours
Counter Booking Refunds
- Cash payment: Refund via cheque or bank transfer
- Card payment: Credited to original card in 7-10 days
- Processing time: 3-5 working days after cancellation
TDR (Ticket Deposit Receipt) Filing
TDR is filed to claim refund in special circumstances:
When to File TDR
- Train cancelled by railways
- Train delayed by more than 3 hours
- Missed train due to late running of connecting train
- AC failure during journey
- Traveled in lower class due to unavailability
- Duplicate booking
- Could not board due to late running of previous train
How to File TDR Online
- Login to IRCTC account
- Go to "My Transactions" ? "File TDR"
- Enter PNR number
- Select reason for TDR
- Upload supporting documents (if required)
- Submit TDR
- Track TDR status in "My Transactions"
TDR Time Limits
- Online tickets: Within 4 hours of train departure for most cases
- Train cancellation: No time limit
- AC failure: Within 4 hours of arrival at destination
- Counter tickets: File at station within specified time
Special Refund Cases
Train Cancelled by Railways
- Full refund of fare
- No cancellation charges
- Automatic refund initiated
- No need to cancel manually
Train Diverted
- Full refund if you don't want to travel on diverted route
- File TDR with reason "Train Diverted"
- Provide journey details
AC Failure
- Full refund of AC fare difference
- File TDR within 4 hours of reaching destination
- Mention coach number and seat/berth
Missed Connection
- If you miss connecting train due to delay of previous train
- Both tickets must be booked together
- File TDR with both PNRs
- Provide delay certificate from station
Partial Cancellation
You can cancel tickets for some passengers while keeping others:
- Select specific passengers during cancellation
- Remaining passengers' tickets stay valid
- Cancellation charges apply per cancelled passenger
- Useful when some people can't travel
Refund Not Received - What to Do
Step 1: Check Refund Status
- Login to IRCTC account
- Go to "Refund Status" or "My Transactions"
- Check if refund is processed
Step 2: Contact Bank
- Sometimes refund is processed but takes time to reflect
- Check with your bank/card issuer
- Provide transaction reference number
Step 3: Raise Complaint
- If refund not received after 15 days
- Raise complaint on IRCTC website
- Call IRCTC customer care: 14646
- Email: etickets@irctc.co.in
Step 4: File Grievance
- Use IRCTC grievance portal
- Provide PNR, cancellation date, and bank details
- Track grievance status online
Tips to Maximize Refund
- Cancel Early: Cancel more than 48 hours before departure for minimum charges
- Monitor Waitlist: If waitlisted, it auto-cancels with full refund
- File TDR Promptly: Don't miss TDR filing deadlines
- Keep Proof: Save cancellation confirmation and receipts
- Check Refund: Monitor bank account for refund credit
- Avoid Last-Minute: Cancelling less than 4 hours = no refund
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does IRCTC refund take?
IRCTC refunds typically take 7-10 working days for credit/debit cards and net banking, 5-7 days for UPI/wallets, and instant to 24 hours for IRCTC iPay wallet.
What are IRCTC cancellation charges?
For AC classes: ?240 per passenger if cancelled more than 48 hours before departure. For non-AC: ?120 per passenger. Charges increase as departure time approaches.
Can I get refund on Tatkal ticket?
No, Tatkal tickets are non-refundable under normal circumstances. Refund is given only if train is cancelled, diverted, or in case of AC failure.
What is TDR in IRCTC?
TDR (Ticket Deposit Receipt) is filed to claim refund in special cases like train cancellation, delays, AC failure, or missed connections. It can be filed online through IRCTC account.
Will I get refund if my waitlisted ticket doesn't confirm?
Yes, waitlisted tickets are automatically cancelled after chart preparation and full refund (minus clerkage charge of ?60) is credited to your account.