Railways Refund Rule: Lakhs of people travel by Indian Railways every day, but most of them do not know that apart from missing the train or not being able to travel, there are many other situations where a full refund of the ticket can be taken. According to the refund rules implemented by IRCTC and the Railway Board, in certain situations, the full fare can be refunded without any deduction of a single penny. So if you missed your train, or the train did not arrive, or you did not get the desired coach, then in all these cases, you have the right to a refund; just keep some conditions in mind.
If the train is canceled, the refund is automatic
If you have booked an e-ticket and the train gets canceled, then you do not need to do anything. Railways will automatically refund your ticket on your booking ID. (Booking ID). If you have an i-ticket, you have to submit a train cancellation claim from the counter within 72 hours of the scheduled departure of the train.
The train was delayed by more than 3 hours, and you did not travel
If your train is delayed by more than 3 hours and you did not travel, you can get a full refund. TDR (Ticket Deposit Receipt) has to be filed before the departure of the train. The ticket has to be surrendered at the counter before the departure of the train. This rule gives passengers an opportunity to be informed in time and make alternate arrangements.
The train route changed, and it did not reach your station
If the route of the train changes and it does not reach your boarding or destination station, you can file a TDR (Ticket Deposit Receipt). You can claim a refund through TDR. In such a case, it is mandatory to file a TDR within 72 hours.
You will get the difference in fare back
If you had bought an AC class ticket and the railways made you travel in the sleeper or lower class, then you could get the difference in fare back.
Before chart preparation:- This refund is automatically received.
After chart preparation:- You will have to file a TDR and get a certificate from the TTE.
This ensures that you get the facility as per your booked class.
You will get a refund even if the AC is not working on the train
If the AC does not work in the train during your journey, you can still travel in AC or non-AC. (Non-AC) You can get the difference between the fare as a refund. For this, you have to file a TDR within 20 hours and send it to IRCTC along with a certificate from the TTE.
Coach not attached or damaged
If your reserved coach is not attached to your train or the coach is damaged and you are unable to travel, you can get a refund by filing a TDR within 3 hours.
Refund is possible on Tatkal ticket also under certain conditions
No refund is usually available on confirmed Tatkal tickets, but it is possible under certain conditions. If all the seats of your Tatkal ticket are in waiting and you did not travel, then a refund can be obtained by filing a TDR. If the train is late or any facility is not available, a refund can be obtained under certain conditions.
Also, pay special attention to these things
File TDR (Ticket Deposit Receipt) on time: In some cases, the time limit is 30 minutes, in some 3 hours, and in some 72 hours. It is very important to keep in mind the time limit.
Certificate required:- In many cases, the GC (Guard Certificate) or EFT (Excess Fare Ticket) certificate received from TTE has to be sent to IRCTC by post.
IRCTC is only a forwarding agency:- The decision to refund is taken by the concerned Zonal Railway; IRCTC only forwards your application.