Will I get refund if my ticket is in waiting list?

Will I Get a Refund If My Train Ticket is on the Waiting List?

The question of refunds for waitlisted train tickets is a common one, especially in high-demand travel periods. The answer, unfortunately, isn’t a simple yes or no. It depends on the type of waiting list and whether the ticket gets confirmed before the chart preparation.

General Waiting List (GNWL) and Other Waiting Lists (PQWL, RLWL, etc.):

For general waiting list tickets (GNWL) and other similar categories like PQWL (Pooled Quota Waiting List) and RLWL (Remote Location Waiting List), a refund is initiated automatically only if the ticket remains unconfirmed after the chart preparation. If the ticket gets confirmed, even at the last minute, no refund is issued. If your ticket remains partially confirmed (e.g., some passengers confirmed, others not), a refund will be issued for the unconfirmed passengers.

If you cancel your GNWL or other waitlisted ticket before the chart is prepared, you’ll receive a partial refund after deducting clerkage charges. The amount refunded will depend on the timing of your cancellation. The closer to the train’s departure time, the lower the refund amount.

Tatkal Waiting List (TQWL):

Tatkal tickets hold a unique refund policy. Should your waitlisted Tatkal ticket remain unconfirmed after the final chart is prepared, a full refund is guaranteed. Unlike the general waiting list, you don’t need to cancel a waitlisted Tatkal ticket; the refund is processed automatically. This means you won’t lose any money if your Tatkal ticket doesn’t get confirmed.

Key Takeaways:

• Confirmed Tickets: No refund for confirmed tickets unless specific cancellation rules apply (e.g., train cancellation, significant delays).
• GNWL, PQWL, RLWL (Before Charting): Partial refund after deducting clerkage.
• GNWL, PQWL, RLWL (After Charting – Unconfirmed): Automatic full refund.
• TQWL (After Charting – Unconfirmed): Automatic full refund.

It’s always advisable to check the specific refund rules and cancellation charges on the official railway website or app of the country you are traveling in for the most up-to-date information. The information provided here serves as a general guideline and might be subject to change.