Many train passengers face confusion when their tickets are automatically cancelled due to non-confirmation, yet a small amount is deducted as a “cancellation fee.” If you have experienced this, it’s important to understand why it happens and what you can do about it.
Understanding Auto-Cancellation
When you book a waitlisted train ticket, your seat is only confirmed if a berth becomes available before the final reservation chart is prepared. If the ticket remains waitlisted even after chart preparation, the system automatically cancels it. This prevents passengers from traveling without a confirmed seat. The cancellation happens automatically — you do not need to take any action.
Why a Fee Is Deducted
Although it appears as a “cancellation fee,” this deduction is not actually a penalty. Indian Railways charges a small amount as a service or clerical fee to cover administrative and processing costs related to refunds. The deduction depends on the class of travel:
| Class of Travel | Deduction Amount (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Sleeper (SL) | ₹60 |
| 3AC | ₹65–₹100 |
| 2AC | ₹100–₹120 |
| 1AC | ₹120–₹240 |
These charges are standard and automatically applied when a waitlisted ticket is cancelled by the system.
Checking Your Refund
To view the refund details, log in to your IRCTC account and navigate to My Transactions → Booked Ticket History → Refund Details. There, you can see the breakdown of the refunded amount and the deduction applied.
When to Raise a Complaint
If you notice an unusually high deduction or if your refund has not been credited within the expected time, you can contact IRCTC customer support. You can file a refund claim through the TDR (Ticket Deposit Receipt) option on the IRCTC website or send an email to care@irctc.co.in with your PNR number. You can also call the IRCTC helpline at 139 for assistance.
Final Thoughts
However, if you book through a third-party platform like ConfirmTKT, Trainman Paytm, MakeMyTrip, or RailYatri, those companies charge their own service or convenience fees in addition to the IRCTC charges. These app fees are non-refundable, even if your ticket gets auto-cancelled.
So in short:
- Direct IRCTC booking: Only the official railway clerkage is deducted.
- Through apps like ConfirmTKT: Railway clerkage plus app service fees are deducted.
Apps like ConfirmTKT act as intermediaries — they book tickets through IRCTC on your behalf, but add their own platform charges to cover their services. That’s why refunds from such apps are often slightly less than what you’d get directly from IRCTC.
The deduction on an auto-cancelled ticket can seem unfair, but it is a standard administrative charge, not a penalty. Understanding how the system works can help avoid confusion and ensure that you get your rightful refund without worry.
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