What is a TDR and when do I need it?

TDR (Ticket Deposit Receipt) is filed when a ticket is not used due to train cancellation, delays, or passenger issues.

Can I use RTI even if I didn’t file TDR?

Yes. RTI can be used for any IRCTC ticket refund that’s delayed.

. What details should I include in the RTI?

Always include PNR number, transaction ID, and booking/cancellation date.

Will filing RTI delay the refund further?

No. In fact, it may prompt faster action by creating official accountability.

How to File RTI for IRCTC Refund Status – Track Railway Ticket Refunds

9th of Jul. 2025
By - Musab Hashmi

Topics

RTI for IRCTC / TDR Refund Delays

Booked a train ticket on IRCTC, canceled it, and still haven’t received the refund?

Thousands of passengers face delays in getting refunds from Indian Railways or IRCTC, especially when TDR (Ticket Deposit Receipt) is involved.

Instead of waiting endlessly, you can use the RTI Act, 2005 to:

Ask for current status of your refund

Know which department handled your refund request

Request timeline for processing and credit

Get the name of the officer currently handling your file

When Should You File RTI for IRCTC Refund?

File RTI if:

You canceled a ticket and refund hasn’t arrived after 7–10 working days
You filed a TDR and there’s no update even after 15–30 days
IRCTC customer support gives no clarity
''Apply Now''

Sample RTI Application Format

To: Public Information Officer (PIO)
Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) / Railway Zone HQ
Indian Railways, Ministry of Railways

Subject: RTI Application to Know Status of IRCTC / TDR Refund

I had booked a train ticket on [DD/MM/YYYY] using IRCTC platform (Transaction ID: [XXXXXXXXXX], PNR No: [XXXXXX]). I canceled the ticket / filed TDR on [DD/MM/YYYY], but haven’t received the refund yet.

Kindly provide the following under RTI Act, 2005:

Status of refund and expected credit date
Department and officer handling the refund
Day-wise file movement and remarks
Timeline as per Railway / IRCTC refund policy
Certified copy of internal note file (if any)

Enclosed is the ₹10 RTI fee.

Attachments:

IRCTC booking confirmation or TDR receipt
Transaction ID / PNR number
₹10 IPO/DD or online RTI receipt

🛠️ How to File RTI for IRCTC Refund

Option 1: Use FileMyRTI.com

Visit FileMyRTI.com
Choose "Railways / IRCTC Refund RTI"
Upload your PNR, transaction ID, and TDR copy
We’ll prepare, post & track your RTI

Option 2: File It Yourself

Use the format above to draft your RTI
Address it to PIO, IRCTC or concerned Railway Zone
Attach ₹10 RTI fee (IPO/DD/online)
Send via Registered Post

📅 Timeline for Response

RTI must be answered within 30 calendar days from receipt. If no response, file a First Appeal with the Appellate Authority of Indian Railways / IRCTC.

Related RTI Guides

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Legal basis & binding precedent for this topic

Statute

The Regional Passport Office and the Ministry of External Affairs are "public authorities" under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act 2005. Passport application status, police verification reports, and officer-level file notings are "information" within Section 2(f) and must be disclosed unless a specific exemption under Section 8 applies.

Case law

The Delhi High Court and the Central Information Commission have repeatedly held that ordinary passport application status and delay reasons do not qualify for any exemption — particularly not under Section 8(1)(a) (security) or Section 8(1)(h) (ongoing investigation), which the RPO sometimes invokes to stonewall. Applicants are entitled to know both why their file is delayed and the officer handling it.

How we use this

Our advocates draft passport RTIs with explicit invocation of Section 2(h), 2(f), and 7(1) — and pre-empt Section 8 deflection by framing questions around file-movement rather than investigation content, which is unambiguously disclosable.

Section references are to the Right to Information Act, 2005. Case citations refer to reported judgments of the Supreme Court of India, High Courts, and the Central / State Information Commissions. This article is a general statement of law — for facts-specific advice on your matter, consult a qualified advocate.

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Reviewed by Adv. Musab Hashmi

Senior RTI Advocate

Bar Council of Telangana, TS/62/2019 · 10,000+ RTIs drafted

Legal review ensures the interpretation of RTI Act provisions, cited rulings, and procedural steps in this article reflect current law and standard practice before Central and State Information Commissions. Full profile of Adv. Musab Hashmi →