Are you searching ‘tips for tatkal ticket booking’ on the internet? What happens if you decide not to travel by the booked train due to an emergency? Indian Railways allows passengers to opt for a refund after not traveling by train. The process through which a passenger can claim a refund for not traveling by the booked train is called TDR (Ticket Deposit Receipt). After filing the TDR, the refund process can take two months or more. Indian Railways has to process a large number of TDR requests regularly. Read on to know how to claim TDR and associated rules.

The Process to Claim TDR with Indian Railways

As most people book train tickets via the IRCTC website/app, we will discuss the TDR process on IRCTC. The steps to claim TDR via the IRCTC portal are as follows:

Step 1: Enter the login credentials on the IRCTC website/app.

Step 2: Visit the booked train tickets section where all previous tickets are shown.

Step 3: Open the list of train tickets whose journey date has elapsed.

Step 4: Every train ticket has an associated PNR (Passenger Name Record). Select the PNR for which TDR is to be claimed.

Step 5: After selecting a PNR, click on the ‘File TDR’ icon.

Step 6: Choose a suitable reason or type your reason on the app/website for claiming TDR on the app/website from the displayed list. For entering a new reason, click on the ‘Other’ button and type your reason.

Step 7: Click on the ‘Submit’ icon to move forward and claim TDR.

Step 8: A preview of the entered details will be shown to the train passenger. If everything is up to the mark, click on the ‘OK’ button in the alert window.

Step 9: Usually, a message ‘Your TDR has been filed successfully’ will be shown to the user.

*Note: The same PNR number will be generated even if you book a single ticket for multiple passengers. However, one can choose to book separate tickets for each passenger, but there is no guarantee of consecutive seats. Select the passenger’s name for which TDR is being claimed.

The TDR confirmation page will showcase the PNR number, TDR reason, TDR status, transaction number/ID, and reference number.

After filing TDR, you must wait for the refund to be processed. Since Indian Railways deal with many TDR requests, it takes some time to process your request. Therefore, one should always rely on authentic apps for train ticket booking. Several unregistered apps might not allow users to file TDR easily. The average time for a TDR request to be processed is 60 days. In some cases, the passenger might receive the refund a little early. One can always check their TDR status via the IRCTC app.

Filing TDR with a Third-Party Application/Website

Many users rely on a third-party app/website for train ticket booking. For example, many people book train tickets via redRail app. However, a uniform IRCTC user ID is generated. Therefore, users must enter their IRCTC user ID and password on a third-party application for booking train tickets. redRail app also allow passengers to claim TDR. The process remains the same for filing TDR.

Search for the ticket history section on your booking app/website. You will find a ‘Claim TDR’ button for each ticket whose journey date has elapsed. Click on the ‘Claim TDR’ button and select the passenger. Enter the required details and click the ‘Submit’ button to claim TDR. Other processes, like the confirmation page or the alert window, will be the same for all apps. Once the TDR is claimed via redRail app/website, you will have to wait for the refund.

Rules Associated with Claiming TDR

Several rules are associated with claiming TDR and getting a refund from the Indian Railways. Passengers should be aware of the train ticket booking and TDR rules. Rules related to TDR and refund in Indian Railways are as follows:

• The total amount is refunded to the passengers if a train is canceled. In such a scenario, passengers do not have to file TDR as the refund is initiated automatically.
• If the train is three hours or more late, passengers can file a TDR after not traveling on the train. However, for availing of a full refund, the TDR should be filed before the departure of the train.
• Sometimes, the acquired ticket class is unavailable, and the passenger has to travel in a lower class. In such a case, passengers can file TDR and claim for the difference in fare. Also, the TDR should be claimed within two days of issuing GC/EFT.
• Passengers can also claim TDR if the AC of the train isn’t working. For the same, TDR must be filed within 20 hours of the train arriving at the boarding station.

TDR can also be claimed for excess fare charges, partial travel, and train diversion. Know the TDR rules now!