IRCTC Login: How to Sign In, Password Reset & Fix Login Errors 2026

How to Login to IRCTC Website (Step by Step)

1. Go to irctc.co.in. 2. Click the 'Login' button in the top-right corner. 3. Enter your IRCTC User ID (not email — the username you chose at registration). 4. Enter your password. 5. Complete the CAPTCHA image text. 6. Click 'Sign In'. 7. An OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number — enter it to complete login. Once logged in, you can search trains, check seat availability, and book tickets.

How to Login via IRCTC Rail Connect App

Open the IRCTC Rail Connect app (Android/iOS). On the home screen, tap 'Login'. Enter your User ID and password. Tap 'Sign In' and enter the OTP from your registered mobile. The app login skips CAPTCHA and is generally faster. If you see 'Account Locked', use the website to unlock it first.

Forgot IRCTC Password: How to Reset

Go to irctc.co.in → Login → 'Forgot Password'. Enter your User ID and registered email address. IRCTC will send a password reset link to your email. Click the link, enter your new password (must include uppercase, lowercase, number, and special character), and confirm. You can log in with the new password immediately. If you don't receive the email, check your spam folder or try 'Forgot Password via OTP' option using your mobile number.

Common IRCTC Login Errors and Fixes

Invalid User ID or Password: double-check username (case-sensitive) and password (check Caps Lock). OTP Not Received: wait 60 seconds and click 'Resend OTP'; check that your registered mobile has signal and is not on DND. CAPTCHA Error: refresh the CAPTCHA and try again — avoid browser autofill for CAPTCHA. Account Locked: after 6 failed attempts IRCTC locks your account for 30 minutes; wait or use 'Unlock Account' on the login page. Service Unavailable: IRCTC goes down during peak booking hours (08:00 AM Tatkal time) — retry after a few minutes.

Common Questions

What is my IRCTC User ID?

Your IRCTC User ID is the username you chose when you registered. It is NOT your email or phone number. Check your IRCTC registration confirmation email — the User ID is mentioned there. It is usually 3–10 characters.

Why is my IRCTC login not working?

Common reasons: wrong User ID (check case), wrong password (Caps Lock on), CAPTCHA error, account locked after failed attempts, OTP not received, or IRCTC website is down during peak hours. Check each one in sequence.

How do I recover my IRCTC User ID?

Go to irctc.co.in → Login → 'Forgot User ID'. Enter your registered email or mobile number. IRCTC will send your User ID to your email. If your email is no longer accessible, contact IRCTC customer care (139 or irctc.co.in/nget/train-search → Help).

Can I login to IRCTC without OTP?

No — IRCTC requires OTP verification on every login for security. OTP is sent to your registered mobile number. If you don't receive the OTP, try 'Resend OTP' after 60 seconds, ensure your phone has signal, and check DND status.

How many failed login attempts lock my IRCTC account?

IRCTC locks your account after 6 consecutive failed login attempts. The lock lasts 30 minutes. After that, use 'Unlock Account' on the login page or wait for the lock to expire automatically.

Is IRCTC login different from PNR status check?

Yes — you do not need IRCTC login to check PNR status. PNR status is publicly available at pnralert.in/pnr-status without any login. IRCTC login is only required for booking, cancelling, or downloading tickets.

Why does IRCTC show 'Service Unavailable' at 8 AM?

IRCTC's Tatkal booking opens at 10 AM (AC) and 11 AM (non-AC), and ARP (120-day) booking opens at 8 AM. During these windows, millions of users try to log in simultaneously, causing server load. Try logging in a few minutes before the exact opening time.

Can I be logged in to IRCTC on multiple devices?

IRCTC allows login from one session at a time. If you log in on a new device, your previous session may be logged out. Booking limits apply per User ID — 6 tickets per month in Sleeper, 6 in AC.

Useful Links

Check your ticket directly, track train running status, or read related railway guides.