TrainsDateIRCTC TDR Filing Guide: Step-by-Step Refund Process
TDR — Ticket Deposit Receipt — is the formal claim you file when you're owed a refund that IRCTC's automatic cancellation system won't process on its own. Most routine cancellations don't need it. But once you're past the point of simply hitting "cancel," TDR is the only route left to get your money back.
When You Actually Need to File One
- The train itself was cancelled by Railways.
- The train ran more than 3 hours late and you chose not to travel.
- You had a confirmed ticket but couldn't cancel it online before the cut-off (e.g. after chart preparation) and didn't travel.
- You were traveling in a lower class than booked, or the train didn't run on your particular route/diverted.
- AC failure or similar service-class issues on AC classes, in some cases.
You generally don't need to file one if your e-ticket is still fully waitlisted at chart preparation — that cancels and refunds automatically, no TDR required.
How to File It — Step by Step
- Log in to your IRCTC account (website or app).
- Go to My Transactions → File TDR (sometimes shown under Booked Ticket History for the relevant PNR).
- Select the ticket/PNR you're filing against.
- Choose the reason for the TDR from the dropdown list — pick the one that actually matches your situation, since the wrong reason is a common cause of rejection.
- Upload any supporting document if the system asks for one (for certain reasons, a TTE-issued certificate may be required).
- Submit, and note the reference number to track status later.
Deadlines — This Is Where Most Claims Get Lost
| Situation | Typical Deadline |
|---|---|
| Confirmed ticket, want full refund via TDR | Before the train's actual departure |
| RAC / e-ticket refund eligibility | Up to 30 minutes before scheduled departure |
| Train delayed 3+ hours, chose not to travel | Generally within 72 hours of scheduled departure |
| TTE-issued certificate (GC/EFT) cases | Original certificate must be posted to IRCTC within 2 days of issue |
These windows vary by exact reason and have been adjusted by Railways before, so treat this as a general guide — always check the specific deadline shown for your reason at the time of filing.
How Long the Refund Actually Takes
Once filed, your TDR routes to the originating zonal railway's Chief Commercial Manager (Refunds), who has a statutory 60 days to decide the claim. In practice, refunds often take at least 60 days from filing — cases needing physical documents (like a posted TTE certificate) tend to take longer, since the clock only really starts once IRCTC has received and verified the paperwork.
If It's Rejected or Stuck
Check your TDR status regularly through IRCTC's tracking service. If it's rejected, the reason is shown — often it's a reason-mismatch or a missed deadline. If it's just stuck well past the 60-day window, escalate through the Rail Madad grievance portal before considering further options like CPGRAMS.
Useful tools: IRCTC booking date calculator · advance reservation period (ARP)