How to Cancel a Tatkal Ticket: Complete Guide (Rules, Refunds & Steps)
Urgent wanted to travel, then tatkal ticket help to travel in last minute through tatkal scheme. However sometimes plan don't always go as expected, and might need to cancel the ticket. Many passengers are confused, whether tatkal ticket can be cancelled and we get any refund. This guide will explain everything that needs to know about cancelling a tatkal ticket, including rule, refund policies and step-by-step instructions.
What is Tatkal Ticket?
Tatkal ticket is a special ticket by Indian Railways that helps passengers to book their ticket if they wanted to travel on urgent basis. Passenger can book their tatkal ticket one day before the journey but the ticket comes with the additional tatkal charges, as ticket is meant for urgent travel, the cancellation rules are strict as compare to regular ticket.
Can We Cancel a Tatkal Ticket?
Yes, we can cancel a tatkal ticket, but refund depends on the ticket type and status:
- Confirmed Ticket: No refund will be given by Indian Railway if we cancel our confirmed tatkal ticket.
- Waitlisted Ticket: Refund is allowed after deducting tatkal ticket charges.
- RAC Ticket: Partial refund is available as per rules.
Understanding of ticket status is important before cancellation the tatkal ticket.
Refund Rules for Tatkal Tickets
Below is clear breakdown of tatkal ticket refund:
- Confirmed Tatkal Tickets: If our tatkal ticket is confirmed and we cancel it, then no refund will be given. This is the important rule and often surprise the passengers.
- Waitlisted Tatkal Tickets: If ticket remains in waiting list even after chart preparation:
- It get cancelled automatically (if e-ticket)
- Refund is given after deducting a small fee.
- RAC Tickets: If a ticket is in RAC status.
- We can cancel the ticket
- Amount will be refunded after a partial deduction.
- Train Cancelled or Delayed: we are eligible for full refund if:
- Train is cancelled.
- Train is delayed by more than 3 hours.
How to Cancel a Tatkal Ticket (Online)
If ticket is booked online, then follow Below steps:
- Step 1: Login
Go to the official IRCTC website or app and login with your credentials. - Step 2: Click on Booked Tickets
Click on "My Bookings" or "Booked Ticket History". - Step 3: Select Ticket
Choose the Tatkal Ticket you want to cancel. - Step 4: Click Cancel
Click on "Cancel Ticket" - Step 5: Confirm Cancellation
Confirm your choice. The system will display the refund amount if applicable. - Step 6: Refund Process
Refund will be credited to you method through which we have booked the ticket within a few days.
How to Cancel a Tatkal Ticket (Offline)
If we have booked ticket from a railway counter.
- Visit the nearest railway station reservation counter.
- Fill cancellation form.
- Provide your ticket details.
- Submit it to clerk.
Refund will be processed as per railway rules.
Important Conditions to Remember
once the reservation chart is prepared, confirm ticket are non-refundable and waitlisted e-ticket get cancelled and refund automatically.
Partial Cancellation
we can cancel only some passengers from both offline and online ticket bookings. Refund rules is applicable individually.
Filling TDR
In some special cases (train delay, AC not working, etc) , we can file a TDR through IRCTC for a refund claim.
Tips to Avoid Loss While Cancelling
- Check ticket status early: if ticket is in waiting list , cancellation might same money.
- Cancel before chart preparation: Cancelling before chart preparation increase chance of refund in non confirmed tickets.
- Avoid unnecessary bookings: Confirm before booking tatkal ticket as ticket doesn't have any refund on confirmed ticket.
Avoiding some of these mistake helps in saving both money and booking ticket time.
Conclusion
Cancelling tatkal ticket is easy, but refund totally depends upon the status of the ticket. Confirmed ticket offers not refund while waitlisted and RAC tickets provides full or partial refund under certain condition.