Seeing two charges from IRCTC for one booking is alarming — but in almost every case you get the extra money back. Here is why it happens and how to recover it.

Why IRCTC Charges Twice

Double charges usually happen when:

• The first payment seemed to fail (timeout, "no response from bank"), so you paid again — but both actually went through.
• You retried after a stuck page and both attempts booked.
• A failed payment was debited and a second successful one booked the ticket.

Step 1: Check How Many Tickets Were Booked

Log in to IRCTC and open Booked Ticket History:

• Two PNRs (two tickets): both bookings succeeded — you have a duplicate.
• One PNR + one extra debit: only one ticket booked; the other debit is a failed payment that auto-refunds.

You can also check quickly on our PNR status tool.

Step 2: Get the Extra Money Back

• Failed second payment (no ticket): IRCTC auto-refunds it to your original method, usually in 3 to 5 working days — see payment failed but money deducted.
• Duplicate ticket (two PNRs): cancel the extra ticket yourself. You get a refund minus standard cancellation charges (for a confirmed ticket) — see refund time. Cancel the one you don't need well before departure.

Step 3: If Nothing Is Refunded

If a failed-payment debit isn't reversed after 5 to 7 working days, raise an IRCTC grievance with your transaction reference, and check with your bank — see refund not received.

How to Avoid Double Charges

• After a "failed" payment, check Booked Ticket History before retrying.
• Don't press back/refresh during payment — see payment initiated but ticket not booked.

Bottom line: if IRCTC charged you twice, check Booked Ticket History — a failed second payment auto-refunds in 3 to 5 working days, and a duplicate ticket can be cancelled for a refund minus charges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did IRCTC charge me twice?

Usually because a first payment appeared to fail (timeout or no response from bank) so you paid again, but both went through — or you retried after a stuck page and both booked.

How do I know if I have two tickets?

Open Booked Ticket History in IRCTC. Two PNRs means two tickets (a duplicate); one PNR plus an extra debit means only one ticket booked and the other is a failed payment.

Will the extra charge be refunded automatically?

If the second payment failed (no ticket), yes — IRCTC auto-refunds it in about 3 to 5 working days. If it booked a duplicate ticket, you must cancel that ticket to get a refund minus charges.

How do I get a refund for a duplicate ticket?

Cancel the extra ticket you don't need in IRCTC before departure. You'll get the fare back minus standard cancellation charges for a confirmed ticket.

What if the double charge isn't refunded?

If a failed-payment debit isn't reversed after 5 to 7 working days, raise an IRCTC grievance with your transaction reference and check with your bank using the refund reference.

Charged twice? [Check your PNR status](/pnr) to see your tickets on ConfirmYatra.