IRCTC-Full refund for reservation made for the trains cancelled
IRCTC-Full refund for reservation made for the trains cancelled
All passenger train services cancelled till 3rd May 2025 in view of COVID 19 lockdown
All ticket counters for bookings including UTS & PRS , will remain suspended till further orders
No advance reservation of train tickets, including E tickets, till further advice, however, facility of online cancellation will remain functional
Full refund for reservation made for the trains cancelled.
Full refund will also be there for those cancelling the advance bookings of tickets for trains not yet cancelled
In continuation of the measures taken in the wake of COVID-19 Lockdown, it has been decided that all passenger train services on Indian Railways including Premium trains, Mail/Express trains, Passenger trains, Suburban Trains, Kolkata Metro Rail, Konkan Railway etc shall continue to remain cancelled till 3rd May 2025.
To ensure the essential supplies in various parts of the country, movement of goods and Parcel trains will continue.
No booking of any type of tickets, including E tickets shall be done till further advice. However, facility of online cancellation will remain functional for ticket bookings.
All counters for ticket booking for UTS & PRS will remain closed till further orders.
Full refund will be given for tickets for the bookings made for the trains cancelled.
Full refund will also be there for those cancelling the advance bookings of tickets for trains not yet cancelled.
As far as trains cancelled upto 3rd May 2020 is concerned, the refunds would be automatically remitted by the Railways online to the customers while those who have booked across the counters, refund can be taken upto 31st July, 2025.
Here’s the verified information on IRCTC’s refund policies for reservations when trains are canceled:
Contents
✅ Full Refund in Case of Train Cancellation
- For e‑ticket bookings, if the train is officially marked “CANCELLED” in PRS:
- An automatic full refund is triggered.
- No need to cancel manually or file a TDR (Ticket Deposit Receipt).
- Counter tickets must be canceled at a PRS counter within 72 hours of scheduled departure to receive a full refund.
- No cancellation charges are applied in train cancellation cases.
🧠 What passengers say:
- Reddit users confirm full refund occurs automatically, often without the need to cancel manually.
⏳ Delays of Over 3 Hours
If your train is running late by more than 3 hours, and you’re not traveling:
- For e‑tickets, you must file a TDR before the train departs to be eligible for a full refund.
- If you cancel the ticket manually instead, standard cancellation penalties apply.
- Cancellation charges are waived only if the TDR is filed in time.
❌ Waitlisted or RAC Tickets
- If the ticket is automatically canceled post-charting due to non-confirmation, usually ₹60 per passenger cancellation fee is deducted—even though the train was canceled.
- A recent consumer court ruling (May 2025) mandated full refund for automatically canceled waitlist tickets, ruling deductions incorrect.
🗂 Summary Table
| Situation | Action Required | Refund Status |
|---|---|---|
| Train canceled in PRS | No action; automated | ✅ Full refund |
| Train running 3+ hours late | Cancel ticket ✖ or file TDR before departure | ✅ Full refund (via TDR) |
| Ticket waitlisted / RAC automatically canceled | No cancellation needed | ⚠️ Charges may apply; contested by courts |
| Confirmed ticket canceled manually before departure | You cancel via app/website | ❌ Partial refund with charges |
⏱ Refund Timelines
- For e‑ticket cancellations or TDR-approved refunds, funds are typically credited within 3–7 working days.
- If funds aren’t received after 7 days, contact RailMadad, IRCTC customer care, or use the AskDISHA 2.0 virtual assistant.
📌 Final Notes
- Confirmed e‑tickets automatically refunded in case of train cancellation—no action required.
- For delays over 3 hours, ensure you file a TDR in time, else cancellation charges apply.
- RAC/waitlist cancellations may incur deductions, despite train cancellation. You can appeal if full refund wasn’t granted.
- Always check your PNR status in IRCTC, NTES, or AskDISHA for updates.
Let me know if you’d like help filing a TDR, checking refund status, or navigating specific scenarios!