Traveling by train in India remains one of the most convenient, cost-effective ways to get around. But booking railway tickets can sometimes feel confusing, especially with changes in rules and booking windows. This guide walks you through the entire process: from registering with IRCTC, to making payments, to special booking quotas like Tatkal.


How to Book Indian Railway Tickets | A Simple Guide

Why Use IRCTC?

IRCTC is the official railway ticketing portal for Indian Railways. E-ticketing through IRCTC lets you:

  • Book tickets from nearly anywhere in India from home, office, or while travelling.

  • Avoid long lines at reservation counters.

  • Pay online via cards, net-banking, UPI, or other supported methods.

Now, let’s look at how to actually book.


Step-by-Step: Booking General Tickets Online or via App

1. Register on IRCTC

  •  Create a free account on the IRCTC website or via their mobile app.

  • Verify your mobile number and email if prompted. ([India Today][2])

2. Login and plan your journey

  • Enter your origin and destination stations, date of travel, and preferred train class.

  • Add passengers from your saved list (or enter fresh details).

3. Choose berth or seat preferences (if available)

4. Review fare and booking details

5. Pay using a card, net-banking, UPI, or other accepted methods.

6. Once payment succeeds, download or print the e-ticket. The confirmation message will include your reservation number (PNR), class, coach/berth details, etc.

Online booking is open most of the day, typically from midnight to late at night.


Booking Tatkal Tickets: What’s Different in 2025

If you need to book last-minute travel, “Tatkal” quota tickets are available, but there are new rules in 2025.

  • From July 1, 2025, only IRCTC users whose accounts are verified with Aadhaar (or a valid DigiLocker ID) can book Tatkal tickets.

  • Starting July 15, 2025, every Tatkal booking requires OTP-based Aadhaar authentication — whether booking online, at counters, or via agents.

  • For agent bookings, a blackout period applies: from 10:00–10:30 AM for AC classes and 11:00–11:30 AM for non-AC. During that time, only Aadhaar-verified individual accounts can be booked.

If you plan to get a Tatkal ticket: log in a few minutes ahead, keep passenger details ready, make sure your payment method is pre-set, and stay logged in until payment succeeds.


Booking via Counters or Through Agents

You don’t always have to book online. Tickets can still be purchased at official railway counters or through authorized agents. That can be helpful if:

  • You don’t have reliable internet access

  • You prefer offline payment (cash)

  • You need assistance or want to book for others

But even in 2025, rules around Tatkal bookings, such as Aadhaar + OTP authentication, apply at counters and with agents.


Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

Here are some pitfalls travellers often face and how to dodge them:

  • Starting booking too late, especially for Tatkal tickets. For AC classes, Tatkal opens at 10:00 AM, for non-AC at 11:00 AM. ([The Times of India][7])

  • Having slow or unstable internet can cause timeouts or failures during payment.

  • Not verifying Aadhaar before booking Tatkal, if your account isn’t verified, the booking will fail.

  • Not double-checking passenger and payment details. Once booked, changes are hard.

  • Ignoring seat/berth preferences, if you don’t pick, you may get a middle or upper berth by default.


Final Thoughts - What This Means for You

Booking railway tickets with IRCTC can be straightforward if you prepare ahead. The 2025 updates (Aadhaar + OTP) make booking a bit stricter, but those changes also aim to make things fairer, reduce misuse, and give genuine travellers a better chance, especially in the Tatkal quota.

If you follow the steps, stay ready before booking opens, and keep your details and payment methods handy, you’ll be able to secure your tickets smoothly.


Disclaimer

The information in this article is based on publicly available sources and may change as Indian Railways updates its policies. Readers should verify details such as ticket rules, timings, quotas, and ID requirements on the official IRCTC or Indian Railways website before making travel plans. This content is for general guidance and should not be treated as official advice.