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Before you can book any train ticket on IRCTC, you need a registered account. Here is how to create one quickly: 

1. Go to irctc.co.in and click on 'Register' at the top right corner. 

2. Fill in your Username (5–10 characters, letters and numbers only — choose carefully, it cannot be changed later). 

3. Enter your Name, Date of Birth, Gender, Occupation, and Marital Status. 

4. Provide your Mobile Number and Email ID. These are used for OTP verification and ticket confirmations. 

5. Enter your Address, City, State, PIN Code, and Country. 

6. Choose a Security Question and answer — this helps if you forget your password. 

7. Enter the CAPTCHA shown on screen and click 'Submit'. 

8. Verify your mobile number and email using the OTP sent to both. 

9. Your account is now active. Login and link your Aadhaar (optional but recommended for Tatkal). 

Logging into the IRCTC NGeT portal is straightforward, but during peak hours (especially Tatkal time), every second counts. Here's how to do it efficiently: 

Standard Login Process

1. Open irctc.co.in in your browser (Chrome or Firefox recommended). Avoid clicking links in SMS or WhatsApp forwards — always type the URL directly. 

2. Click the 'Login' button at the top right of the homepage. 

3. Enter your Username and Password. 

4. Solve the CAPTCHA (a simple visual puzzle to prove you're human, not a bot). 

5. Click 'Sign In'. 

6. If prompted, enter the OTP sent to your registered mobile number for two-factor authentication. 

7. You are now on your IRCTC Dashboard — ready to search trains, check availability, and book tickets. 

Here is the complete train ticket booking process on the IRCTC Next Generation portal, explained in plain language:

Step 1 — Search for Trains

After logging in, you will see the 'Plan My Journey' or 'Train Search' section on the homepage. 

Step 2 — Select Your Train

A list of available trains will appear on screen. For each train, you can see: 

Step 3 — Add Passenger Details

The booking form will now open. Here, fill in details for each passenger:

Step 4 — Choose Quota

IRCTC offers multiple booking quotas. The most used ones are: 

Step 5 — Review and Confirm : Review the complete booking summary — train, passengers, class, fare. Then click 'Continue'. 

Step 6 — Make Payment 

Step 7 — Booking Confirmed! : After successful payment, you will see a confirmation page. Your ticket (with PNR number) is sent to your registered mobile and email. You can also download it from 'Booked Ticket History' in your account. 

If you have used IRCTC regularly, you have almost certainly run into at least one of these errors. Here is exactly what each one means and how to fix it fast. 

Error 1: "Invalid Username or Password" 

What it means: Your credentials do not match what is stored in the IRCTC system. 

Error 2: "Session Expired" / "Your Session Has Timed Out" 

What it means: IRCTC logs you out if there is no activity for a short period of time (roughly 20–30 seconds of inactivity on one page). 

Error 3: "Payment Failed" / "Transaction Failed" 

What it means: Something went wrong during the payment step. This can happen due to bank gateway issues, slow internet, or high traffic. 

Error 4: "Booking Not Allowed" or "Can't Perform Action"

What it means: The IRCTC server is under heavy load — typically during Tatkal hours (10–12 AM) or festive seasons like Diwali, Chhath Puja, and Holi. 

Error 5: "CAPTCHA Not Loading" or Wrong CAPTCHA 

PNR Status Check

Your PNR (Passenger Name Record) is a 10-digit number on your ticket. Use it to: 

1. Check if your waitlisted ticket is confirmed at wirctc.co.in under 'PNR Status' 

2. Track chart preparation status (charts are usually prepared 4 hours before departure) 

3. Check the coach and berth number assigned to you 

Train Running Status

On the IRCTC portal, enter your train number or name to see real-time running status — how many minutes ahead or behind schedule it is. This is incredibly useful if you are picking up a passenger or have a connecting journey.

eWallet — The Fastest Way to Pay 

The IRCTC eWallet is a pre-loaded digital wallet within your IRCTC account. Once you load money into it: 

1. No OTP is required during payment — saves 20–60 seconds 

2. Ideal for Tatkal booking where every second matters 

3. Maximum wallet balance: Rs. 10,000 

4. To load: Go to 'My Account > eWallet' and recharge via net banking, UPI, or card 

e-Catering: Order Food to Your Berth 

IRCTC allows you to order food directly to your train seat via the e-catering feature. You need your PNR number. You can choose from restaurants available at upcoming stations on your route. Major stations like New Delhi (NDLS), Mumbai Central (BCT), Bangalore City Junction (SBC), and Chennai Central (MAS) all have e-catering options.