Archive · 17 Dec 2025
IRCTC e-wallet: No cash withdrawal, funds returned on closure
The Indian Railways has a special e-wallet for buying train tickets.
You can only use the money in this e-wallet to buy tickets and cannot take the money out as cash.
However, if you close your e-wallet, the remaining money will be sent back to your bank account.
The Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, explained this in the Indian Parliament.
A lawmaker had asked if people could withdraw money from the e-wallet or earn interest on it, but the rules say no to both.
The e-wallet is like a special account just for buying train tickets.
IRCTC e-wallet is a closed system PPI account for purchasing train tickets only.
Cash withdrawals are not permitted from the IRCTC e-wallet account.
Funds in the e-wallet can be used to buy train tickets.
Upon closure of the e-wallet account, the remaining balance is transferred back to the user's bank account.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw clarified these points in a written reply to Lok Sabha.
- Who
- Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
- What
- Clarification on IRCTC e-wallet usage and withdrawal policies
- When
- December 17, 2023
- Where
- Lok Sabha, New Delhi
- Why
- In response to a question raised by BJP MP Janardan Singh Sigriwal
- Organization
- Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC)
- Account Type
- Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPI) - Closed System
- Usage
- Purchase of train tickets only
- Cash Withdrawal
- Not permitted
- Funds Return
- Transferred to bank account on e-wallet closure
- Railway Minister
- Ashwini Vaishnaw
- MP Raising Question
- Janardan Singh Sigriwal