IRCTC Ticket Refund Rules & TDR Filing Guide

Understanding Indian Railways refund policies ensures you get your money back promptly if your ticket remains waitlisted or if you cancel your journey.

Automatic Waitlist Refunds

For online e-tickets booked via IRCTC, if your PNR remains fully waitlisted after chart preparation, Indian Railways automatically cancels the ticket. The fare is refunded back to your original payment source within 3 to 5 business days after deducting a minor clerkage charge (₹60 per passenger).

When Do You Need to File a TDR?

A Ticket Deposit Receipt (TDR) must be filed through IRCTC in the following scenarios:

• Partially Confirmed Group Ticket: When some passengers are confirmed and others are waitlisted, and all passengers choose not to travel.
• Train Delayed by > 3 Hours: When your train is running delayed by over 3 hours and you decide not to travel.
• AC Failure: When AC equipment fails in AC class coaches during the journey.

Related links: FAQ · Chart Preparation Timings