Can We Cancel TQWL Ticket?
Many people book Tatkal quota tickets for urgent travel, and sometimes these tickets end up on the TQWL (Tatkal Waiting List). If you have a TQWL ticket and your travel plans change, you might wonder: Can we cancel a TQWL ticket? The answer is yes, but the cancellation and refund rules are slightly different from regular tickets.
In this article, we’ll explain what TQWL means, whether you can cancel it, and what happens to your refund if you do.
What Is TQWL (Tatkal Waiting List)?
- TQWL stands for Tatkal Waiting List.
- It happens when you book a Tatkal ticket and all the confirmed seats under the Tatkal quota are already sold out.
- You are then put on a waiting list, and the status of your ticket may change to TQWL.
If your ticket is TQWL, it means:
- You don’t have a confirmed seat yet.
- You are waiting for a seat to become available, which can happen if other passengers cancel their confirmed tickets.
Can You Cancel a TQWL Ticket?
Yes, You Can Cancel It
If you have a TQWL e-ticket (booked through IRCTC), you can cancel it online through the IRCTC website or app.
- If the TQWL ticket remains fully waitlisted even after the chart is prepared, the system automatically cancels the ticket, and a refund is processed to your account.
- If you cancel the TQWL ticket manually before chart preparation, you can get a refund after deducting a small cancellation fee.
Cancellation Rules for TQWL Tickets
If You Cancel Before Chart Preparation
- You can log in to IRCTC and cancel your TQWL ticket manually before the chart is prepared.
- A cancellation charge is deducted as per the IRCTC rules.
- The refund is processed automatically to your bank account or payment method used at the time of booking.
If the Ticket Remains Waitlisted After Chart Preparation
- If your TQWL ticket is not confirmed or not partially confirmed at the time of chart preparation:
- Your ticket is automatically cancelled.
- A refund is credited to your account after deducting minimal charges (usually nominal or no charges for fully waitlisted e-tickets).
If Your Ticket Gets Partially Confirmed
- If one or more passengers on your ticket get confirmed seats and others are still waitlisted, the rules are different:
- You cannot cancel only the waitlisted portion online after the chart is prepared.
- You need to file a TDR (Ticket Deposit Receipt) for claiming a refund in such cases, depending on the situation.
Refund Rules for TQWL Tickets
Fully Waitlisted E-Tickets
- Full refund (minus nominal cancellation charges) is processed automatically if the ticket stays on TQWL after chart preparation.
Partially Confirmed TQWL Tickets
- If you don’t travel on a partially confirmed TQWL ticket, you can file a TDR to claim a refund.
- The success of the refund depends on the reasons provided and railway approval.
How to Cancel a TQWL Ticket on IRCTC
Step 1: Log in to IRCTC
Go to the IRCTC website or mobile app and log in with your user credentials.
Step 2: Go to Booked Ticket History
Click on Booked Ticket History to view your tickets.
Step 3: Select the TQWL Ticket
Find the TQWL ticket you want to cancel.
Step 4: Click Cancel Ticket
Click the Cancel Ticket option and confirm your cancellation request.
Step 5: Refund Processing
After cancellation, your refund (minus cancellation charges) will be processed and credited to your payment method.
Points to Remember
- TQWL Counter Tickets: If you booked a Tatkal ticket at the railway counter and it is TQWL, you need to cancel it at the reservation counter, not online.
- Cancellation Charges: Refund is given after deducting cancellation charges based on the time of cancellation and ticket status.
- Chart Preparation Time: Charts are usually prepared 4 hours before the train departs. Once the chart is prepared, cancellation and refund rules change.
Conclusion
Yes, you can cancel a TQWL ticket.
- If it is an e-ticket and remains fully waitlisted, the system automatically cancels it and processes your refund after the chart is prepared.
- If you cancel manually before chart preparation, a refund will be issued with standard cancellation charges.
- For partially confirmed tickets or after chart preparation, you may need to file a TDR if you did not travel.
Always check your ticket status and understand the IRCTC cancellation and refund rules before cancelling a TQWL ticket to avoid confusion.
Also Check:
• Can We Change Boarding Station After Chart Preparation?
• Can We File TDR for Tatkal Ticket?
• Can I Travel With RLWL Ticket? A Comprehensive Guide
• Can We Travel With a RAC Ticket? A Comprehensive Guide for Train Travelers
