IRCTC Ticket Cancellation Charges, Refund Rules, How to apply for Refund

Indian Railways is a statutory body under the ownership of the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, that operates India's national railway system. IRCTC stands for Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation and is responsible for ticketing services of Indian Railways. It's a platform where users can buy e-tickets to travel within states and interstates in the country. 

IRCTC was established on September 27, 1999 with its headquarters in New Delhi. However, it started issuing e-tickets in 2002. Customers can book tickets through different payment options such as UPI, debit card, credit card, pay later, and IRCTC's e-wallet 'imudra.’' 

Since no cash-on-delivery option is available, customers are often baffled about how to apply for a refund and get the money back in case of ticket cancellation. 

So, let's find out everything about IRCTC ticket cancellation refund rules and how to apply for a refund.

What are IRCTC ticket cancellation charges?

As per the IRCTC ticket cancellation rules, the ticket cancellation charges of IRCTC are divided under two time slots:

1. Ticket cancellation within 48 to 12 hours- If you cancel your confirmed e-ticket within 48 hours and up to 12 hours before the train's scheduled departure time, you can get 75% of the paid money. It means the cancellation charges under this time slot are 25% of the e-ticket's fare. 
2. Ticket cancellation for less than 12 hours and up to 4 hours- If you cancel the confirmed e-ticket under this time slot, the e-ticket fare is subjected to 50% cancellation charges.  

Moreover, according to IRCTC ticket refund policy, cancellation is not applicable if you cancel the e-tickets once the chart is prepared. If you wonder how to apply for a refund in such a case, use the online TDR filing. Further, you can track the status of your refund by using the tracking service on the IRCTC website and app. 

Additionally, if you haven't canceled the confirmed e-ticket and neither filed TDR online up to four hours before the train's scheduled departure, no refund of fare will be admissible.

IRCTC ticket cancellation refund rules

• Customers can buy e-tickets online through IRCTC's official website or app; thus, cancellation can only be done online. 
• One cannot cancel e-tickets face-to-face at railway counters.
• The refund amount is calculated as per IRCTC's ticket refund calculation.
• The refund amount goes to the same bank account used while booking the e-tickets. 

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IRCTC ticket refund calculation

This calculation is applicable only when you have canceled the ticket more than 48 hours before the train's scheduled departure time.

• Rs 240 for AC First Class/Executive Class,
• Rs 200 for AC 2 Tier/First Class,
• Rs 180 for AC 3 Tier/AC Chair car/ AC 3 Economy,
• Rs 120 for Sleeper Class and
• Rs 60 for Second Class.

How to apply for a refund?

One can apply for a refund through the official IRCTC website or the IRCTC Rail Connect Mobile App. 

Apply for a refund through the IRCTC website

• Visit to the IRCTC website through the same credentials used for booking the ticket. 
• Go to the 'Booked Tickets' header and select the tickets you need to cancel. 
• Confirm ticket cancellation. 

Apply for a refund through the IRCTC Mobile App

• Login to the IRCTC app through the same credentials used for booking the ticket. 
• Select 'Train' and go to the 'My Bookings' header. Under it, select the 'Upcoming' journey tab. Now click on the three dots and choose the 'Cancel Ticket' option. 
• Confirm ticket cancellation.   

IRCTC ticket refund complaint process

Usually, the refunded amount is deposited into the bank account within 5 to 7 working days. However, if you don't receive the money within this timeframe, you can initiate a complaint through the following ways-

• Send a complaint email at care@irctc.co.in.
• Tweet to @IRCTCofficial or @RailwaySeva.

Interesting Points to Know

• IRCTC was founded on September 27, 1999.
• It started issuing tickets online in 2002.
• Currently, this platform issues around five lakh tickets daily. 
• IRCTC also has its own wallet or payment mode, 'imudra' that customers can use for transactions. 

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FAQs (Frequntly Asked Questions)

1. What is the new refund rule of IRCTC?

According to IRCTC, if the confirmed tickets are not canceled, or TDR is not filed up to four hours of the train's scheduled departure, the customer will not get any refund of fare. 

2. Is there any way to get a 100% refund on train ticket cancellation?

A full refund is given only when the train is marked canceled in the Passenger Reservation System (PRS) due to uncertain incidents such as floods, accidents, etc., and the ticket is canceled within three days of the scheduled departure of the train. E-tickets can be canceled only through the IRCTC website. 

3. When IRCTC does not refund any money?

If you have not canceled the ticket or filed TDR up to 4 hours before the train's scheduled departure, IRCTC will not refund any money. In case the refund of ticket fare is filed through TDR, it may take up to 60 days for the money to reflect in the bank account.

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Conclusion 

IRCTC is the official and reliable online platform that allows users to book e-tickets for traveling to any corner of India. At the same time, it refunds the amount when the tickets are canceled under the set timeframe. IRCTC has made booking tickets and traveling easy with its fuss-free booking and refund policies.