TDR Rule in Indian Railway: Eligibility, Filing and Refund Time (2026)
A TDR (Ticket Deposit Receipt) is the way to claim a refund when you could not travel on a booked train and the normal online cancellation does not apply. This guide explains the full TDR rules in Indian Railway: when you are eligible, how to file it online, the time limits for each reason, Tatkal and agent rules, and how long the refund takes. All in simple words.
In short: File the TDR online through your IRCTC account under My Transactions. The refund is decided by the concerned Zonal Railway (not IRCTC) as per railway refund rules, and it usually takes 60 days or more to process.
When Can You File a TDR? (Eligibility)
You can file a TDR if you could not travel, or could not travel properly, for reasons such as these. Each reason has its own time limit to file.
| Reason | Time Limit to File TDR |
|---|---|
| Train cancelled by Railways | Full refund processed automatically (no TDR usually needed) |
| Train late by more than 3 hours and you did not travel | File before the actual departure of the train |
| AC failure (refund of fare difference) | Within 20 hours of the train’s arrival at destination, with TTE certificate |
| Proper coach not attached, travelled in lower class | Within 2 days of the certificate date, with TTE certificate |
| Party partially travelled | Within 72 hours of arrival at destination, with TTE certificate |
| Passenger did not travel (confirmed ticket) | Up to 4 hours before scheduled departure (RAC: up to 30 minutes before) |
| Train diverted and you did not travel | Within 72 hours of scheduled departure from your boarding station |
| Train diverted, not touching boarding or destination station | Within 72 hours of scheduled departure from your boarding station |
| Train terminated short of destination | Within 72 hours of scheduled arrival at destination, with TTE certificate |
| Missed connecting train due to late running of the first train | Within 3 hours of actual arrival of the train you travelled by (linked PNRs) |
| Berth or room not provided after charting | Within 3 hours of actual departure at boarding station |
The refund amount depends on the reason and is decided by the Zonal Railway. Some genuine claims are approved in full, and some can be rejected, so file within the correct time limit with any required certificate.
How to File a TDR Online (Step by Step)
- Log in to your IRCTC account on the website or the RailOne / Rail Connect app.
- Go to My Transactions and open Booked Ticket History (tickets whose journey date has passed).
- Select the PNR for which you want to file the TDR and click File TDR.
- Choose the passenger and select the reason from the list (or type it if you choose Other).
- Click Submit and confirm.
- You get a TDR confirmation showing the PNR, transaction ID, reference number, status and reason. Note it for tracking.
You can track the TDR status later from the same My Transactions section. For the wider refund process, see our Train Ticket Refund Status guide.
TDR Rule for E-Tickets
- Once the chart is prepared, a confirmed e-ticket cannot be cancelled online. The refund, where allowed, is claimed through a TDR.
- For partial cancellation, diversion or short termination, e-ticket passengers file a TDR as per refund rules.
- IRCTC forwards the claim to the concerned Railway, and the refund is credited back to the same account used for payment.
- The refund is processed by the Refund Office of the Zonal Railway in whose area the destination station falls, and usually takes 60 days or more.
Note: The old I-Ticket was discontinued from 1 March 2018, so only E-Ticket TDR applies today. Cancellation and TDR filing are available on the IRCTC website and the official app.
TDR Rule for Tatkal Tickets
- No refund on cancellation of a confirmed Tatkal ticket.
- For contingent and waitlisted Tatkal cancellations, charges are deducted as per railway rules.
- Partial cancellation of a Tatkal e-ticket is allowed, but at least one passenger whose ID is printed on the ERS must remain. Cancelling that passenger cancels the whole ticket.
TDR Filing Through an Agent
Authorised agents cannot file TDRs online. If your ticket was booked through an agent, you must approach the same agent to file the TDR, within the prescribed time limit. The agent forwards the request to IRCTC through their registered channel, and the refund, once received from the Railway, is credited back to the agent’s account for onward settlement. Keep a written record of your refund request with the agent.
Refund Timeline
| Type | Usual Time |
|---|---|
| Train cancelled by Railways | Automatic full refund, a few working days |
| Waitlisted e-ticket auto-cancelled after charting | Refund minus small clerkage, a few working days |
| TDR claims (delay, AC failure, diversion, and so on) | 60 days or more (Zonal Railway verifies) |
If You Cannot File Online
In exceptional cases where you cannot file online, you may obtain a Ticket Deposit Receipt from the nearest major station within 3 days of the scheduled travel, then submit the prescribed application (printed on the back of the TDR) to the Chief Commercial Manager (Refunds) of the Zonal Railway to which the issuing station belongs, within 10 days of your journey. The refund officer examines the case and, if allowed, sends the refund by Station Pay Order, Money Order or crossed cheque.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I file a TDR?
When you could not travel for a valid reason such as a train delayed more than 3 hours, AC failure, coach not attached, diversion, short termination, or a missed connecting train. Each reason has its own time limit.
How long does a TDR refund take?
Usually 60 days or more, because the concerned Zonal Railway verifies and decides the claim.
Is there a TDR refund on a confirmed Tatkal ticket?
No. Confirmed Tatkal tickets get no refund. Waitlisted or contingent Tatkal cancellations are refunded as per rules.
What does CR status mean in TDR?
CR stands for Claim Refund, meaning a refund is being claimed for a journey not taken. Check the status periodically; “Admin Approved” means the claim is accepted for refund.
What is an EFT in a TDR claim?
An Excess Fare Ticket (EFT) or certificate issued by the TTE (in original) is needed to support certain claims, such as AC failure or wrong charging.
Can an agent file my TDR online?
No. For agent-booked tickets, the refund request must go through the same agent, who files it with IRCTC.
Quick Summary
| What it is | Claim form for refund when you could not travel |
| File on | IRCTC, My Transactions, File TDR |
| Common reasons | Train delay 3+ hrs, AC failure, diversion, short termination |
| Confirmed Tatkal | No refund |
| Decided by | Concerned Zonal Railway |
| Refund time | 60 days or more |
A TDR is your safeguard when a journey does not go as planned. File it online within the correct time limit for your reason, keep any TTE certificate, and track the status. For the full refund picture, see our Train Ticket Refund Status guide, and for booking, the Railway Ticket Enquiry and Booking guide.
Is your TDR stuck or rejected? Share your case in the comments, and we will guide you on the next step.