I booked a ticket in Tatkal for my parents online using IRCTC PRS. Due to some reason, my mother’s plan got dropped & hence I tried cancelling the tatkal ticket before chart preparation. IRCTC PRS suggested me that you wouldn’t be entitle for any refund for this cancellation.
I tried filing a TDR but PRS suggested me that TDR can only be filed after chart preparation/ train departure. When I tried filing TDR after chart preparation. It told me that TDR allowed before 4 hours of scheduled departure of the train. Practically speaking, both these conditions can’t be simultaneously fulfilled as the chart preparation is done before 3-4 hours of scheduled departure of the train.
Logically, if refund is permissible for confirmed tickets booked in general quota cancelled before chart preparation, the refund should be allowed for confirmed tickets booked in tatkal quota cancelled before chart preparation too.