Can You Change a Name on an IRCTC Ticket?
The short answer is no — IRCTC does not allow name changes on confirmed tickets. The passenger name, gender, and age entered at the time of booking are locked once the ticket is confirmed.
This applies to all ticket types: e-tickets, Tatkal, group tickets, and counter tickets.
Three Situations and What to Do
| Situation | What you can do |
|---|---|
| Minor spelling error (same person — e.g., "Prya" instead of "Priya") | Visit reservation counter with ID proof. Counter may correct spelling before chart preparation. |
| Wrong person's name entirely (booked for wrong person) | Cancel and rebook in the correct name. No name change is possible. |
| Need a different person to travel instead of you | Cancel and rebook. Tickets are non-transferable — only the named passenger can travel. |
How to Request a Spelling Correction at the Counter
- Visit the railway reservation counter at any major station before the train's chart preparation time (4 hours before departure).
- Carry your e-ticket printout or e-ticket on phone showing the PNR.
- Carry original government ID (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport) showing the correct name.
- Request a spelling correction — explain that it is the same person with a minor error.
- The counter staff will assess whether the correction is feasible. Minor variations are usually corrected; significant differences may not be.
There is no guarantee — this is at the counter staff's discretion, not an IRCTC policy entitlement.
At the Journey: What the TTE Accepts
If you couldn't get the spelling corrected before travel:
- Show your ID alongside the ticket — if it is clearly the same person with a minor spelling difference, most TTEs use discretion and allow travel.
- Carry the ID matching the intended spelling (not the ticket spelling) — this helps show the error was a typo.
- For completely different names — the TTE will not allow travel as the ticket is treated as belonging to a different person.
Related: Can I transfer my ticket to another person? | Valid ID proof for train travel