In the past three fiscal years, Indian Railways issued approximately 51 crore confirmed/RAC tickets and saw about 15.45 crore waitlisted ticket cancellations. While specific revenue from clerkage charges is not separately maintained, the government confirms that applicable GST on the refundable ticket amount is returned to passengers. However, cancellation/clerkage charges and the associated GST are retained by the Railways. GST is only applicable to AC and First Class tickets. The government does not currently provide separate data on the total GST collected from these waitlisted ticket cancellations. There are no explicitly stated plans in the provided information to revise the refund policy for increased transparency or passenger benefits.
In the past three fiscal years, Indian Railways issued approximately 51 crore confirmed/RAC tickets and saw about 15.45 crore waitlisted ticket cancellations. While specific revenue from clerkage charges is not separately maintained, the government confirms that applicable GST on the refundable ticket amount is returned to passengers. However, cancellation/clerkage charges and the associated GST are retained by the Railways. GST is only applicable to AC and First Class tickets. The government does not currently provide separate data on the total GST collected from these waitlisted ticket cancellations. There are no explicitly stated plans in the provided information to revise the refund policy for increased transparency or passenger benefits.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3280
ANSWERED ON 28.03.2025
REVENUE FROM NON-CONFIRMED WAITLISTED TICKETS AND GST
3280 SHRI SANJEEV ARORA:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
a. the total number of non-confirmed waitlisted (WL) tickets and revenue from clerkage charges in the last three years, year-wise;
b. the total Goods & Service Tax (GST) collected on such tickets during the same period;
c. whether GST is refunded for canceled Waiting List (WL) tickets and, if not, the rationale behind it; and
d. whether Government plan to revise the refund policy to enhance transparency and passenger benefits?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (d) During the financial years 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 (upto February, 2025), approximately 51 crore confirmed/Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) tickets were issued whereas approximately 15.45 crore waiting list tickets were cancelled. However, details of amount credited on account of cancellation of tickets by passengers is not maintained separately.
As per rule, applicable GST amount on due refund amount is also refunded to passenger along with refund amount. However, cancellation/clerkage charge and GST amount on cancellation/clerkage as applicable is retained. GST is applicable in AC and First class only.