By IndiaHub 
Here’s a quick guide on how to file a TDR and when you can claim a refund:
Step 1: Login to IRCTC website www.irctc.co.in
Step 2: Go to MY ACCOUNT >> My Transactions >> File TDR
Step 3: Select the PNR for which TDR needs to be filed
Step 4: Select appropriate TDR reason from the drop-down TDR Reason list
Step 5: Select the Number of Passengers from the list of passengers and the click on ‘File TDR’ button
Step 6: Read the instructions and then click on ‘Yes’ button
Step 7: Successful TDR filed; message will be displayed
TDR filing for IRCTC Trains (Rules & Validations)
IRCTC allows passengers to file a Ticket Deposit Receipt (TDR) under various circumstances to claim a refund. Each reason for TDR has a specific time limit within which the request must be submitted.
| S. No. | TDR Filing Reasons | Time Limit/Rules |
| 1 | Train late more than three hours and passenger Not travelled | Up to the actual departure time of the train at Boarding Station. |
| 2 | Difference Of Fare In Case proper Coach Not Attached. (passenger has to travel in lower class) | Up to 2 days (Excluding the day of issue of the certificate) |
| 3 | AC Failure | Within 20 hours of actual arrival time of the train at Passenger’s Destination Station. |
| 4 | All Confirmed Passenger Not Travelled | Up to 4 hours before the Schedule Departure time of the train at Passenger’s Boarding Station. |
| 5 | Train Diverted and Passenger Not Travelled | Up to 72 hours from Schedule Departure of the Train from Passenger’s Boarding Station |
| 6 | Train Diverted and Train not touching Boarding Station | Up to 72 hours from Schedule Departure time of the train at Passenger’s Boarding Station. |
| 7 | Train Diverted and train not touching Destination Station | Up to 72 hours from Schedule Departure time of the train at Passenger’s Boarding Station. |
| 9 | Party Partially Confirm/Waitlist & Waitlisted Passengers Did Not Travel | Up to 72 hours of actual Arrival Time of the Train at Passenger’s Destination Station. |
| 10 | Party Partially Confirmed/Waitlisted And All Passengers Did Not Travel. | Up to 30 Minutes before the Schedule Departure Time of the Train at Passenger’s Boarding Station. |
| 11 | Difference of Fare as Passenger Travelled in Lower Class | Up to 2 days (Excluding the day of issue of the certificate) |
| 12 | Party Partially Travelled (Refund on Partially Used Ticket) | Up to 72 hours from Schedule Departure Time of the Train at Passenger’s Boarding Station. |
| 13 | Passenger Not Travelled as Reservation provided in Lower class | Within 3 Hours from the Actual Departure Time of the train at Passenger’s Boarding Station |
| 14 | Passenger Not travelled Due To Coach Damage | Within 3 Hours from the Actual Departure Time of the train at Passenger’s Boarding Station |
| 15 | Train Terminated Short of Destination | TDR shall be filed up to 72 hours of the Scheduled Arrival of the Train at Passenger’s Destination. |
Source- IRCTC website
Connecting train ticket booking is not allowed on IRCTC trains. As such no refund is applicable on connecting journey tickets.