Guide to Booking Tatkal Tickets from IRCTC: A Comprehensive Walkthrough

Travelling during peak seasons can be challenging with limited train tickets available. However, the Indian Railways offer a special facility for last-minute bookings with their Tatkal service. This guide will walk you through the entire process of booking a Tatkal ticket from IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation).

Introduction to IRCTC Tatkal Service

IRCTC provides a dedicated online platform for train ticket bookings. Their Tatkal service allows users to book train tickets just one day before the journey. This service is available for both AC and non-AC categories. The Tatkal booking window opens at 10:00 AM for AC classes and 11:00 AM for non-AC classes. To access this service, users must log in to the IRCTC portal.

Registering for IRCTC Tatkal Booking

To book a Tatkal ticket, you must first register with IRCTC. This involves:

Downloading and installing the IRCTC RailConnect app or accessing the IRCTC login page on your Android phone. Providing your personal details such as phone number and email ID. Creating a login password to access the booking page.

Once registered, you can log in to the IRCTC portal and navigate to the ticket booking section.

Booking Your Tatkal Ticket

Step 1: Log In to IRCTC Portal

Upon logging in, you will be redirected to the 'Book Your Ticket' page. Here, you can search for the available trains by entering the source and destination station, travel date, and preferred class of travel.

Step 2: Select Your Train

The next page will display a list of trains available on the chosen route. You can click on the train name to access information about its timings and route.

Step 3: Choose Booking Class

Before proceeding, you need to choose the booking class. The 'quota' option is usually available on the right side of the train list. To book a Tatkal ticket, select the 'Tatkal' option under the quota section.

Step 4: Confirm Details

Click on the 'Book Now' option to confirm the booking. On the passenger reservation page, review the train details, station names, class, and journey date displayed on the left side of the page. If you need to make any changes, you can do so by selecting the 're-plan booking' option.

Step 5: Enter Passenger Details

Enter the names, ages, berth preferences, and food choices for each passenger. After entering the details, click on the 'continue booking' option. Here, any of the filled-in details can be modified by selecting the 're-plan booking' option.

Step 6: Review and Proceed to Payment

The ticket details, the total fare, including taxes, and the availability of berths at the specific time are displayed on the screen. After reviewing the details, click on the 'continue booking' option to proceed to payment.

Step 7: Payment and Confirmation

After making the payment, a confirmation page will be displayed. You will receive a virtual reservation message (VRM) in the form of an SMS to the mobile number provided in the passenger reservation form.

Tatkal Booking Timings

Indian Railways’ Tatkal facility allows train ticket booking up to one day before the journey. For example, if the train is to depart on the second day of the month, the Tatkal booking for that particular train will open on the first day of the month, at 10:00 AM for AC classes and 11:00 AM for non-AC classes.

It’s important to note that the availability of Tatkal seats is limited, and the booking window is very short. Therefore, it’s recommended to log in to the IRCTC portal as soon as the booking window opens.

Click here to visit the IRCTC website for more information on