If you’ve recently had a bad experience while travelling on Indian Railways, be it a train running over three hours late, non-functioning AC, or a diverted route, you might be eligible for a refund. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) provides passengers the option to file a Ticket Deposit Receipt (TDR) under several scenarios, reported ET.How to File a TDR on IRCTC:
- Log in to the IRCTC website – www.irctc.co.in.
- Go to My Account > My Transactions > File TDR.
- Select the relevant PNR for which you want to file the TDR.
- Choose the appropriate reason for filing the TDR from the dropdown list.
- Select the number of passengers for the claim.
- Click on the ‘File TDR’ button.
- Read the instructions and click ‘Yes’ to confirm.
- A successful filing message will be displayed upon completion.
There are specific time limits for each type of TDR claim. For instance, if your train was more than three hours late and you didn’t travel, the TDR must be filed before the scheduled departure time. Similarly, if you were downgraded from AC to a lower class or faced AC failure, you must file within 20 hours after the train arrives at your destination.
| S. No. | TDR Filing Reason | Time Limit / Rule |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Train late more than three hours and passenger not travelled | Up to actual departure time of the train at boarding station |
| 2 | Difference of fare if proper coach not attached (travel in lower class) | Up to 2 days (excluding day of issue of certificate) |
| 3 | AC failure | Within 20 hours of actual arrival time at passenger’s destination station |
| 4 | All confirmed passengers not travelled | Up to 4 hours before scheduled departure at boarding station |
| 5 | Train diverted and passenger not travelled | Up to 72 hours from scheduled departure at boarding station |
| 6 | Train diverted and not touching boarding station | Up to 72 hours from scheduled departure at boarding station |
| 7 | Train diverted and not touching destination station | Up to 72 hours from scheduled departure at boarding station |
| 8 | Party partially confirmed/waitlist & waitlisted passengers did not travel | Up to 72 hours of actual arrival at destination station |
| 9 | Party partially confirmed/waitlisted and all passengers did not travel | Up to 30 minutes before scheduled departure at boarding station |
| 10 | Difference of fare as passenger travelled in lower class | Up to 2 days (excluding day of issue of certificate) |
| 11 | Party partially travelled (refund on partially used ticket) | Up to 72 hours from scheduled departure at boarding station |
| 12 | Passenger not travelled as reservation provided in lower class | Within 3 hours from actual departure at boarding station |
| 13 | Passenger not travelled due to coach damage | Within 3 hours from actual departure at boarding station |
| 14 | Train terminated short of destination | Up to 72 hours from scheduled arrival at passenger’s destination |
Source: IRCTCOther scenarios include coach changes, route diversions, short-termination of trains, and even if a confirmed ticket holder didn’t travel. For example, if a passenger did not travel because the reservation was shifted to a lower class, the TDR must be filed within three hours of the train’s departure.According to the IRCTC website, passengers whose trains were diverted and no longer touched their boarding or destination stations can also claim refunds if they file within 72 hours of the train’s original departure time.However, IRCTC does not entertain refunds for connecting journeys, as such bookings are not allowed.The IRCTC process aims to improve passenger satisfaction and accountability. If you’re unsure about eligibility, always check the official IRCTC rules and timelines for clarity.