Booking trains through IRCTC has become an important way for millions of Indians to travel through the country by train. For those about to book their next trip. Having knowledge of the IRCTC booking process. Recent changes and rules, and how to book trains, will help ensure that your booking experience is more seamless . Less of a hassle. You will know everything from the registration process to ticket cancellation with this booking guide that includes advice from HighXBrand India.
What is IRCTC Booking?
A as per IRCTC being an acronym for Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation. You’ll recognize this as the app or website used to register and book e-tickets and serve as the official portal for Indian Railways. When we mention IRCTC booking, it involves reserving (or booking) train tickets via .The website and/or app, which does include Tatkal, general, sleeper, and AC-class of trains. The IRCTC booking process allows passengers to search trains, menu selections, pay for each respective service, and generate e-tickets without having to go in person to railway booking counters.
IRCTC Booking Process: Step-By-Step Process
We’ve broken down the IRCTC booking process with a thorough step-by-step flow, including changes made during recent times.
- Account Registration & Verification
- If you have not already registered and created an IRCTC account, the first step you need to take will be account registration. The items needed are a verifiable number and email address, and limited identification.
- Upon implementation of amendments and rules, the verification of Aadhaar is now mandatory depending on the type of bookings. As of 1st October 2025, you are going to need Aadhaar authenticated IRCTC accounts to book a reserved general ticket type within the first 15 minutes upon resolution of the respective booking process.
- Login
- Access IRCTC through either the website or the Rail Connect mobile application. Make sure you have your account information close at hand. Also, have your email, mobile number, Aadhaar link, etc. up-to-date.
- Search Trains and Routes
- Fill in the travel route (origin and destination stations), the date of travel, class of travel (Sleeper, 3AC, 2AC, and so on) and passenger quota.
- Be aware that in cases where there are multiple trains on a route, less well-known trains may have more availability/less cancellation.
- Each booking is either General or Tatkal
- General booking is opened around 60 days in advance (this ARP – Advance Reservation Period – was just decreased from 120 days in many cases).
- Tatkal booking is created for last minute travel; that is, for travel that is happening the day before travel (excluding the date of travel). For AC classes, Tatkal opens at 10 AM and for non-AC at 11 AM.
- Fill in Passenger Details
- Next, fill in the passenger name, age, berth preference, optional details like whether lower berth is needed, etc…
- Make sure to fill in Aadhaar or other required identity proof details (if prompted).
- Country or Fare, Quotas & Availability
- Take a look at the ticket fare; the IRCTC page will inform you of fares for class selected, and of any additional fare (Tatkal surcharge, convenience fee, etc).
- Also check if the seats are available or if the passenger will need a waitlist.
- Payment
- Select a payment method: UPI, net banking, credit/debit card, or IRCTC wallet.
- Some recent rules compel OTP confirmation or Aadhaar linkage. Please ensure that the mobile number used for account registration is operational and you can receive an OTP.
- The first and most important thing for Tatkal bookings is speed. So, passengers need to fill in all their details in advance and have an active payment method that can be used or transacted quickly!
- Confirmation & downloading the ticket
- After your payment and the bank has verified it, you will receive a confirmation of your booking and PNR number. You can download your e-Ticket (PDF Format) or look for your ticket inside the app.
- Make sure ticketholders have valid identification proof (i.e., Aadhaar, Passport, Voter ID…etc.) during the journey, as it is required.
- Cancellations & refunds
- In the event that you need to cancel your booking, you can click the “cancel ticket” option in your IRCTC account. All refunds will be issued according to the rules of Indian Railways.
- For waitlisted tickets, if your ticket does not confirm, always a full refund minus the bank amount you paid to reserve will be the policy.
Recent rule changes and changes that matter
It is a fact that IRCTC booking does change from time to time; unfortunately, recent changes should be noted:
- Mandatory “Aadhaar Verification” : As stated, beginning October 1, 2025, all persons utilizing an Aadhaar authenticated account will be mandatory for booking reserved “general” tickets during the first 15 minutes after the opening of the general reservation time period.
- Revised Tatkal regulations: For all Tatkal bookings, linkage to Aadhaar is now required; if you make a booking through an agent, OTP verification is required. There will be some restrictions on agents in the first half of the Tatkal window.
- Reduced Advance Reservation Period (ARP): In many instances, IRCTC reduced the advance reservation period from 120 days to 60 days. This will impact what time you can book ahead.
Real Life Scenarios
- Booking for a season of festivals: During peak travel seasons, such as during Diwali, Holi, Eid, etc., demand is very high. The general reservation can be sold out. If you are going to book through IRCTC during peak season, plan ahead, be ready to book immediately when the ARP opens.
- Tatkal emergencies: You have an emergency tomorrow, and you need to travel starting next day. This would require a ticket in AC class, so be on your account exactly at 10 AM when the Tatkal window opens. Be sure your account is verified Aadhaar, and your passenger details are pre-filled. Use the wallet or fast option for payment method.
- Partial cancellation: If you have booked a ticket for 4 passengers under a single PNR, and you would like to only cancel some of the passengers, check how the refund will take place in the event of a partial charge.
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FAQ
Q1. What is the IRCTC booking window?
A1. The IRCTC Advance Reservation Period (ARP) is the time before a journey that one books the reservation ticket. Today, that period is generally 60 days before the travel date (though in the past it was fluctuating 120 days notice-those routes now have roughly been condensed to a 60-day booking window).
Q2. When it Tatkal booking opens?
A2. Tatkal booking opens at 10:00 AM the day before the journey date (excluding the journey date) for AC classes, and at 11:00 AM for non AC classes.
Q3. Do I need to verify using Aadhaar for IRCTC booking?
A3. Yes. Effective October 1, 2025, Aadhaar-authenticated IRCTC accounts will required for booking reserved general tickets during the first 15 minutes of the opening general reservation window. Additionally, to book Tatkal, passengers must link their Aadhaar and complete OTP verification.
Q4. How do I speed up IRCTC booking?
A4. HighXBrand India provides some suggestions regarding speeding up your booking. Those include: save your passengers profile details; use your IRCTC wallet balance; logout before the window opens; have an stable internet connection; pre-load your payment method; use multiple devices; travel during non-peak times; and be ready to be persistent.
FINALS
Booking your train travel in India can be a stressful experience but booking through IRCTC is an efficient, effective way to reduce the stress. Knowing the current policies (especially on Aadhaar verification) in advance, being organized, choosing the quickest payment method available, as well as HighXBrand India’s tips and tricks will increase your chances of successfully booking with less stress when possible. Whether you are pre-booking, or you using the Tatkal urgency route, knowing the procedure keeps you ahead of the game.
I also could create an IRCTC Tatkal booking cheat-sheet or checklist that you can print out if that is of interest to you. Would you be interested in that?
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