One of the most common questions after cancelling an IRCTC ticket is: when will my money come back? The answer depends on your payment method, the type of cancellation, and whether your bank processes the credit quickly.
IRCTC Refund Timeline by Payment Method
| Payment Method | Typical Refund Time |
|---|---|
| UPI (Google Pay, PhonePe, BHIM) | 2–5 working days |
| Debit Card (Net Banking) | 3–7 working days |
| Credit Card | 5–7 working days |
| IRCTC Wallet / iMudra | Instant to same day |
| TDR (disputed claims) | Up to 60 days |
Types of IRCTC Refunds
1. Online Cancellation Refund
When you cancel a confirmed or RAC ticket yourself before chart preparation, IRCTC deducts cancellation charges and initiates the refund within 1–2 business days. Your bank then processes it in the timeframes above.
2. Automatic WL Refund
If your waitlist ticket is not confirmed at chart preparation, IRCTC automatically cancels it and processes a full refund. No action needed from you. This typically reaches your account 5–7 days after the train's departure date.
3. Train Cancellation Refund
If Indian Railways cancels the train, you get a full refund with zero deductions. This is processed automatically and takes 5–10 days.
4. TDR Refund
TDR (Ticket Deposit Receipt) is for exceptional cases — when you missed a train due to railway fault, train ran more than 3 hours late, or you were given wrong accommodation. TDR refunds are manually reviewed and take up to 60 days.
How to Check IRCTC Refund Status
- Log in to irctc.co.in
- Go to My Account → My Transactions
- Find the cancelled PNR and click on it to see refund status
- If refund is initiated, check your bank statement or UPI app for the credit
Refund Not Received After 10 Days?
If your refund has not arrived 10 working days after cancellation, raise a complaint at IRCTC's helpdesk (care@irctc.co.in) with your PNR number, transaction ID, and payment method. For UPI, also check with your bank's UPI dispute portal.
Track your PNR status and alerts at PNR Alert.