Refund Processing Time for IRCTC Cancellations via Paytm: A Comprehensive Guide

When you cancel a train ticket booked through IRCTC and opt for a refund to Paytm, the refund process typically takes about 5 to 7 business days. However, the exact time can vary due to several factors, including the timing of the cancellation, the payment gateway, and bank processing times.

Factors Influencing Refund Time

Cancellation Timing: If you cancel the ticket well in advance of the journey, the refund may be processed faster. For tickets canceled under 15 days or for cases where the train is canceled or running late by more than 3 hours, the refund process may take up to 90 days.

Payment Gateway: Sometimes the speed of the refund can depend on the payment gateway and Paytm's policies. Paytm processes refunds on a real-time basis, meaning that the refund should be credited to your account soon after IRCTC processes it.

Bank Processing Time: Once IRCTC processes the refund, it may take additional time for your bank or Paytm to reflect the amount in your account. This is typically between 4 to 7 business days.

What to Do if You Haven't Received Your Refund

If you haven't received your refund within the expected timeframe, it is advisable to check with both IRCTC and Paytm customer support for assistance. Here are the steps you can take:

Send an email to IRCTC with your registered email ID and the transaction reference number. Check the refund status on the Paytm app: Go to Profile > Your Orders. Locate the booking and check the updated status under the “Money Refunds” section. Contact Paytm with the transaction ID or Order ID and provide your Paytm customer care numbers as shown in the image below.

Common Processing Time and Cases

Based on various anecdotal reports, the refund is usually processed in around 4 to 5 working days via railway for any mode of payment. In my situation, it took about 7 days, which is common for most others. It may take 8 to 10 days for some as well, but the amount will be refunded within a period not exceeding 10 days.

Conclusion

IRCTC takes around 3 to 4 days to refund the amount to the account through which the tickets have been booked. In general, the amount will be refunded quickly within 72 hours if the transaction gets failed while booking a ticket or a booked ticket is canceled. The process can vary, so it is important to be patient and check with customer support if you have not received your refund within the expected timeframe. If you haven't received it within 10 days, it is advisable to follow up with both IRCTC and Paytm for assistance.

Keywords: IRCTC refund, Paytm refund, ticket cancellation refund