ITR Processing Weekly Update
Last updated: March 28, 2026 (Week of Mar 23 – Mar 27; IT portal figures through 26 Mar 2026)
This week (Mar 23–27): ~1.31 lakh returns processed; backlog is 26.7 lakh (down from ~27.0 lakh last week). Best day: Thu Mar 26 (+87,793).
TL;DR
- Processing stayed solid — ~1,31,176 returns cleared Mon–Fri
- Best single day: Mar 26 (Thu) with +87,793
- Backlog is now 26.7 lakh — roughly ~31K fewer pending than last week
- Processing (~1.31L) outpaced new e-verifications (~83K)
- At a strong sustained pace, full queue clearance still points to late April to early May 2026; at ~30K/day, mid-June
The Numbers Don't Lie
After a quiet Monday snapshot, CPC logged four consecutive processing days, including the best single-day throughput in weeks. Here is the day-by-day picture for Mar 23–27:
| Date | Returns Processed | Vibe Check |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 23 (Mon) | 0 | No net addition |
| Mar 24 (Tue) | +17,379 | Moderate |
| Mar 25 (Wed) | +10,552 | Moderate |
| Mar 26 (Thu) | +87,793 | Best day this week |
| Mar 27 (Fri) | +15,452 | Steady |
The week total: ~1,31,176 returns processed. New e-verifications rose by ~83,059 (portal snapshots; one day showed no net change in verified count). Backlog now stands at 26.7 lakh.
What Does This Mean For You?
If you're waiting for your refund, here's the updated picture:
When Will Everyone Get Their Refund?
With backlog at 26.7 lakh and one very strong day (Mar 26) lifting the weekly average, projections stay directional:
Optimistic (sustained ~70K/day):
26.7 lakh ÷ 70,000/day = ~38 days → late April 2026
Moderate (late-Feb pace of ~30K/day):
26.7 lakh ÷ 30,000/day = ~89 days → mid-June 2026
Conservative (this week’s ~26K/day average):
26.7 lakh ÷ 26,000/day = ~103 days → early July 2026
The realistic range still looks like late April to mid-June if healthy throughput continues. The queue shrank week-on-week, but the last snapshot showed new verifications slightly ahead of processing — so expect more volatility.
Other Numbers From This Week
Other metrics for Mar 23–27:
| Metric | Weekly Change (Mar 23-27) |
|---|---|
| New Registered Users | +69,576 |
| Returns Filed | +83,059 |
| Returns Verified | +83,059 |
| Returns Processed | +131,176 |
Processing (1,31,176) again exceeds new e-verifications (~83K) for the week — that is how the backlog edged down from ~27.0 lakh toward 26.7 lakh.
What To Do If You're Still Waiting
- Check your e-verification status - Your return won't be processed until it's verified
- Make sure your bank account is pre-validated - This can cause delays at the last step
- Check for notices - Login to the e-filing portal and see if there are any pending actions
- Be patient — Thu Mar 26 was a strong processing day (+87.8K); Fri was smaller (+15.5K), which is normal after a surge
Pro tip: If it's been more than 60 days since you e-verified and still no refund, raise a grievance on the e-Nivaran portal. With the current moderate pace, don't wait too long.
What We're Watching Next Week
- Does Mar 26-style throughput repeat, or do we settle back toward ~15–25K/day?
- Can backlog dip below 26.5 lakh?
- March 31 is the advance tax due date — will that pull IT Department attention away from ITR processing?
- With the filing season closing in (July 2026 deadline), are older FY 2024-25 returns getting priority?
The February surge cleared ~23.7 lakh returns. This week added ~1.31 lakh processed with a standout Thu Mar 26, and backlog is now 26.7 lakh. We update daily on the dashboard.
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