Did you cancel your tatkal ticket? Can you refund? This is what Indian Railways offers you

Last minute journeys are almost everyone's tragic story. There is massive rise for booking tatkal tickets at Indian Railways station window everyday. However, to eliminate standing in queues for tatkal tickets, the railways through its catering service provider IRCTC also allows online booking. Tatkal tickets are always purchased at higher rate than compared to reserved tickets, as few charges are levied either be second class or AC compartment. However, did you know if you decide to cancel your tatkal ticket, you will not be given any refund.Yes, you have read it right! There is no refund policy in tatkal tickets, but IRCTC and Indian Railways do allow few exceptions. Let's find out. 

On Indian Railways website, it is mentioned that, no refund will be granted on cancellation of confirmed Tatkal tickets/duplicate tatkal ticket except in case of circumstances.

Therefore, full refund of fare and tatkal charges will be granted on the tickets booked under Tatkal scheme in the following circumstances:

1. If the train is delayed by more than 3 hours at the journey originating point of the passenger & not the boarding point if the passenger's journey originating point and boarding point are different.

2. If the train is to run on a diverted route and passenger is not willing to travel.

3. If the train is to run on diverted route and boarding station or the destination or both the stations are not on the diverted route.

4. In case of non attachment of coach in which Tatkal accommodation has been earmarked and the passenger has not been provided  accommodation in the same class.

5. If the party has been accommodated in lower class and does not want to travel. In case the party travels in lower class, the passenger will be given refund of difference of fare and also the difference of Tatkal charges, if any.

Agents / RTSAs/Web service agents/Web agents of IRCTC are restricted from the booking Tatkal tickets between 1000 hours and 1200 hours. 

Even for internet booking for Tatkal tickets, the passenger must enter the identity proof type and number, which is to be used for travel. These details is then printed on the ERS/indicated on the VRM/MRM as well as in the reservation chart.

By giving in accurate details about you while booking tatkal ticket, this makes it easier for Railways to refund your amount in the above mentioned scenarios. 

It will be possible to book a maximum of only four passengers per PNR forTatkal tickets.