Indian Railway Refund Rules
A complete guide to understanding IRCTC's cancellation charges, refund eligibility, and how to claim your money back.
Overview of Cancellation Policy
Indian Railways has a structured cancellation and refund policy based on how early you cancel relative to the train's departure. The earlier you cancel, the more refund you receive.
For confirmed tickets, cancellation charges are deducted from the total fare. Use our Refund Calculator to get an instant estimate.
Cancellation Charges for Confirmed Tickets
| Time of Cancellation | Cancellation Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| More than 48 hours | Flat ₹60–₹240 | Varies by class (SL: ₹120, 2A: ₹200, 1A: ₹240) |
| 12–48 hours before | 25% of fare | Minimum cancellation charges apply |
| 4–12 hours before | 50% of fare | Minimum cancellation charges apply |
| Less than 4 hours | No Refund | Online cancellation not possible after chart prep |
Refund for Waiting List (WL) Tickets
WL tickets not confirmed at chart preparation get full automatic refund. No cancellation required — the refund is processed automatically.
Online WL tickets (IRCTC) receive an automatic refund to the original payment source within 3–5 working days.
Counter WL tickets require the passenger to surrender the ticket at PRS counter for refund.
Learn more about waiting lists: Waiting List Guide →
Tatkal Ticket Refund Rules
- • Confirmed Tatkal tickets: No refund on cancellation
- • Train cancelled by Railways: Full refund regardless of ticket type
- • WL Tatkal not confirmed: Full refund (automatic)
Filing a TDR (Ticket Deposit Receipt)
A TDR can be filed for situations where you couldn't cancel the ticket before departure — such as train late by 3+ hours, seat not available, etc.
TDR Eligibility Cases
- • Train delayed by more than 3 hours
- • Passenger travelled in a lower class due to non-availability
- • Train diverted and passenger unable to reach destination
- • Train terminated before destination
- • Passenger falls sick before/during journey (with medical certificate)
- • Party booking where some passengers got confirmed but others did not