5 rules about online train ticket-cancellation refund policy
Not all plans are meant to be. That's exactly why the IRCTC offers the option of online ticket cancellation to its travelers. According to the prevailing railway rules, refunds are issued (or not) depending on individual cases and circumstances. Here are 5 basic rules you must know regarding online ticket-cancellation refunds, to avoid any confusion in future.
About allowed time-period for cancellation of reserved and RAC tickets
In case of confirmed reservations, no refunds are given if the ticket isn't cancelled or if the ticket deposit receipt (TDR) isn't filed online at least four hours before a train's scheduled departure. Similarly, no refund will be issued in case of reservation-against-cancellation (RAC) e-tickets if the passenger doesn't cancel the ticket or file TDR upto 30 minutes in advance to departure time.
Refunds in case of tatkal tickets
As far as confirmed tatkal tickets are concerned, the IRCTC grants no refund of fare. On the other hand, for contingent cancellation and wait-listed tatkal ticket cancellations, charges as per existing railway rules are deducted from the refund amount. Notably, partial cancellation of tatkal e-tickets is allowed by IRCTC.
Refund in case of cancelled trains
In case the Passenger Reservation System (PRS) marks your train status as "CANCELLED" (due to reasons such as breaches, floods, accidents, etc.), the full amount of the fare will be refunded if the ticket is cancelled within three days of the scheduled departure of the train. In case of e-tickets, such cancellations can be done easily by the passenger on the IRCTC website.
