Indian Railways has a special policy for passengers who book connecting trains. If your first train arrives late and you miss your second train, you can get a full refund for the untraveled portion of the journey. This rule has been in effect since April 1, 2019, to help passengers avoid financial loss due to railway delays.
How to get a refund for missed connecting trains?
To avail of this facility, passengers must link their two PNRs using the ‘Connecting Journey’ option on the IRCTC website or mobile app during booking. If the first train is delayed and the second one is missed, an e-ticket holder must file a Ticket Deposit Receipt (TDR) online within three hours of the first train’s actual arrival. For counter tickets, the ticket must be surrendered at the counter within two hours of the train’s departure along with a TDR form.
What are the eligibility rules for this policy?
The refund is not automatic and follows specific conditions to ensure the journey was genuinely connected. The destination of the first train must be the same as the starting station of the second train. Also, the passenger details like name, age, and gender must be identical in both PNRs. Only confirmed or partially confirmed tickets can be linked for this purpose.
| Condition | Requirement |
|---|---|
| PNR Linking | Must use ‘Connecting Journey’ option on IRCTC |
| Time Gap | Minimum 1 minute to Maximum 5 days |
| TDR Deadline (Online) | Within 3 hours of first train arrival |
| TDR Deadline (Counter) | Within 2 hours of second train departure |
| Ticket Status | Confirmed or Partially Confirmed only |
| Refund Amount | Full fare of the untraveled portion |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the time limit to file a TDR for a missed connecting train?
For e-tickets, the TDR must be filed online via IRCTC within 3 hours of the first train’s actual arrival. For counter tickets, it must be submitted within 2 hours of the second train’s departure.
Does this refund policy apply to Tatkal tickets?
Generally, the connecting journey refund facility is not applicable to Tatkal tickets.