New Delhi | January 10, 2026 | For millions of passengers, Tatkal tickets have become an unavoidable part of train travel. Whether it is an emergency, a sudden change of plans or urgent personal work, travellers often book Tatkal tickets without much deliberation. The shock comes later—when the journey is cancelled and a confirmed Tatkal ticket is withdrawn, leaving passengers with no refund at all.
Indian Railways’ no-refund policy for confirmed Tatkal tickets has long been a source of frustration. The issue has now reached the Bombay High Court, where a public interest petition has challenged the rule. The petition argues that once a confirmed Tatkal ticket is cancelled, the same berth is immediately allotted to another passenger from the waiting list, allowing the Railways to collect fare twice for the same seat—an arrangement the petitioner has termed unfair and anti-consumer.
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Tatkal booking was introduced to provide last-minute travel options during emergencies. Over time, however, the facility has increasingly turned into a high-risk choice for passengers who are unaware of its strict cancellation rules.
Why is there no refund on confirmed Tatkal tickets?
Under existing railway rules, if a Tatkal ticket is confirmed and the passenger cancels it, no refund is granted under normal circumstances. In effect, whether the passenger travels or not, the fare remains with the Railways.
Railway officials maintain that the policy is essential to prevent misuse of the Tatkal quota. According to them, if refunds were allowed on confirmed Tatkal tickets, passengers would resort to speculative bookings—reserving seats without certainty of travel and cancelling later. This, they argue, would block genuine travellers who need urgent tickets and strain the reservation system.
Can a confirmed Tatkal ticket be cancelled at all?
This remains one of the most common misconceptions. A confirmed Tatkal ticket can indeed be cancelled, but cancellation only means surrendering the seat. It does not entitle the passenger to any refund. Many travellers assume that some portion of the fare will be returned, as with ordinary tickets, but Tatkal bookings do not follow the same rules.
When is a refund possible?
While the policy is strict, it does not apply in every situation. Passengers may receive a refund in limited cases.
If a Tatkal ticket does not get confirmed and remains on the waiting list until chart preparation, it is automatically cancelled, and the full fare is refunded.
If the train itself is cancelled by the Railways, passengers holding confirmed Tatkal tickets are also eligible for a full refund.
Another scenario involves excessive delays. If a train runs three hours or more behind schedule and the passenger chooses not to travel, a TDR (Ticket Deposit Receipt) can be filed. However, approval of such claims depends on scrutiny by railway authorities and is not guaranteed in every case.
Why does money not return even after filing TDR?
Many passengers believe that filing a TDR automatically ensures a refund. In reality, confirmed Tatkal tickets rarely qualify for refunds even after TDR submission, unless the disruption is clearly attributable to the Railways—such as a train cancellation or severe operational failure.
The biggest mistake passengers make
The most frequent error is treating Tatkal tickets like regular tickets. While ordinary tickets allow partial refunds depending on when they are cancelled, Tatkal tickets operate under a separate and far stricter framework. Due to lack of awareness, thousands of passengers suffer financial losses every year.
Situations where refunds are also denied
No refund is granted if a confirmed ticket is cancelled two hours after the scheduled departure of the train.
RAC or waiting-list tickets cancelled three hours after departure time are also not eligible for refunds.
Refunds are never allowed on duplicate Tatkal tickets, even if the original ticket is later traced.
What passengers should keep in mind
Travellers are advised to avoid booking Tatkal tickets unless their journey is absolutely certain. Refunds are possible for waiting-list or RAC Tatkal tickets, but not for confirmed ones. In case of train cancellations or long delays, passengers should file a TDR immediately. Most importantly, the rules and conditions laid down by IRCTC and Indian Railways should be read carefully before booking.
As the High Court examines the petition, the debate around passenger rights and Tatkal refunds is gaining momentum. Until any policy change is announced, the message for travellers is clear: booking a Tatkal ticket may be easy—but cancelling it can prove expensive.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
