IRCTC Tatkal Ticket Booking: How to Make Reservations Online

The IRCTC offers a Tatkal quota for last-minute bookings through its website and app.

Image used for representation only.

(Photo: The Quint)

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), the ticketing arm of the Indian Railways, offers a Tatkal quota for last-minute bookings through IRCTC website and app. Under the tatkal quota, prospective travellers can make reservations for seats that are otherwise not available for booking under the other categories.

Here is a step-wise guide to help you make tatkal booking, check time and status of train, and also ticket charges on IRCTC.

IRCTC Tatkal Ticket Booking: Steps to Follow

• Go to the official website of IRCTC: irctc.co.in.
• Register yourself as a user on the IRCTC website, using your mobile number and a valid Email ID.
• Now, use your IRCTC user ID and Password to login on the homepage.
• On the IRCTC homepage, go the ‘Plan My Journey’ tab.
• On this page, fill the requisite fields including the boarding station, destination station, date of journey and the ticket type.
• You can also select other train from the list by clicking on the ‘another train class’ link. Just make sure that details appearing on the top of the page are same as those filled by you.
• Upon successfully entering all the particulars, you will be redirected to the new page.
• On the new page, select quota as ‘Tatkal’, and then start searching for the train(s)
• Click on the ‘class’ tab under the train list, and it will show the details with availability.
• Select the relevant class you want to travel on, and then click on the ‘Book Now’ link under ‘availability’ option.

• You can also select other trains from the list by clicking on the ‘another train class’ link. Just make sure that details appearing on the top of the page are same as those filled by you.
• Now, enter details such as name of passenger(s), age, sex and berth preference. However, note that the ‘Name of Passenger’ field will only take up to 15 characters.
• Enter the verification code and passenger mobile number to receive booking details.
• Upon successful verification, click on the ‘NEXT’ tab, and you will be redirected to the payment window.
• On the payment page, select the mode of payment, and then click on ‘make payment’ option.
• Upon successful completion of the payment process, your ticket confirmation details will appear on the screen, along with a “Print ERS” Button.
• Click on the ‘ERS’ option, and just take a print out of your confirmed ticket for a hassle-free journey.

IRCTC Tatkal Ticket Booking: Important Points to Remember

1. The maximum number of bookings that can be made on a single PNR through Tatkal is four passengers.
2. A senior citizen concession is not allowed under the Tatkal Quota.