Didn't Get AC, Train Was Late or Coach Changed? Just 3 Clicks on IRCTC Website to Get Full Refund

If your recent train journey turned into a frustrating experience—be it a non-functional AC, train delay, or a coach change—you don’t have to suffer in silence. The Indian Railways, through IRCTC’s TDR (Ticket Deposit Receipt) facility, offers you the option to claim a refund under such circumstances. But to ensure your claim is successful, you must file the TDR correctly and within the allowed time frame.

🎯 What is TDR and Why is it Important?

A TDR is a formal request for a refund when:

• You didn’t travel,

• The journey was partially completed, or

• Railway services were disrupted or subpar.

✅ Step-by-Step: How to File a TDR on IRCTC Website

1. Go to www.irctc.co.in and log in to your account.

2. Navigate to My Account > My Transactions > File TDR.

3. Select the PNR number for which you want to claim a refund.

4. Choose the appropriate reason from the drop-down list.

5. Select passengers who did not travel and click on ‘File TDR’.

6. Carefully read the instructions on the screen and confirm by clicking ‘Yes’.

7. If submitted successfully, a message saying “TDR Successfully Filed” will appear on screen.

🕒 When and Why You Can File a TDR (With Time Limits)

#	Reason for TDR Filing	Time Limit to File
1	Train delayed by 3+ hrs and passenger didn’t travel	Before train’s actual departure from boarding station
2	Downgrade due to missing coach	Within 2 days (excluding certificate date)
3	AC failure	Within 20 hrs after train reaches destination
4	All confirmed passengers didn't travel	Up to 4 hrs before scheduled departure
5	Route changed, passenger didn’t travel	Within 72 hrs from scheduled departure
6	Train skipped boarding station	Within 72 hrs from scheduled departure
7	Train skipped destination station	Within 72 hrs from scheduled departure
8	Partially confirmed/waiting passengers didn’t travel	Within 72 hrs after train’s arrival
9	All passengers were waitlisted and didn’t travel	Up to 30 mins before scheduled departure
10	Downgrade, requesting fare difference refund	Within 2 days (excluding certificate date)
11	Partial journey completed	Within 72 hrs from scheduled departure
12	Downgrade with no travel	Within 3 hrs from actual departure
13	Didn’t travel due to coach damage	Within 3 hrs from actual departure
14	Train didn’t reach destination (short terminated)	Within 72 hrs from scheduled arrival

Source: IRCTC official website

⚠️ Important Note

If you’ve booked connecting train journeys separately (as IRCTC doesn’t offer official connecting train bookings), and one of them was disrupted, you won't get a refund for the second journey.

With just a few clicks and the right documentation, you can claim a full refund for issues like train delays, AC failures, or coach downgrades. Filing a TDR promptly is crucial—so don’t miss the window!

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