WL Ticket Auto-Refund: What Happens Automatically
When your IRCTC waitlisted e-ticket doesn't get confirmed by chart preparation, Indian Railways automatically cancels it and processes a refund — no action needed from you. You don't need to cancel manually, file a TDR, or call IRCTC.
Refund Timeline by Payment Method
| Payment method | Typical refund time |
|---|---|
| UPI (GPay, PhonePe, BHIM) | 1–3 business days |
| Net Banking | 3–5 business days |
| Debit Card | 3–5 business days |
| Credit Card | 5–7 business days (may appear in next statement cycle) |
| IRCTC iMudra / Wallet | Instant or within 1 day |
Clerkage Charge: How Much Is Deducted?
| Ticket class | Clerkage charge deducted |
|---|---|
| Sleeper (SL) / 2nd Sitting (2S) | ₹60 per passenger |
| 3AC (3A) / Chair Car (CC) | ₹120 per passenger |
| 2AC (2A) | ₹180 per passenger |
| 1AC / Executive (1A / EC) | ₹240 per passenger |
The remainder — full ticket fare minus clerkage — is refunded automatically.
How to Check Your Refund Status
- Login to IRCTC → My Account → My Transactions → Cancelled Ticket History
- Find the cancelled ticket — the refund status should show "Refund Initiated" or "Refunded"
- If status shows "Refund Initiated" but money hasn't arrived, wait the full 7 business days
What to Do If Refund Is Late
If 10+ business days have passed with no refund:
- Call IRCTC helpline: 14646 (24×7 toll-free)
- Email: care@irctc.co.in with ticket number and journey date
- File complaint on pgportal.gov.in (PM Grievance Portal) — fastest escalation path
- Last resort: file chargeback with your bank (UPI dispute or credit card dispute)
See also: IRCTC helpline numbers | How to cancel IRCTC ticket