IRCTC Forgot Password — How to Reset Step by Step

Forgot your IRCTC password? You're not alone — this is one of the most common issues Indian train travellers face. Whether you haven't logged in for months or simply can't remember your credentials, IRCTC provides multiple ways to reset your password.

This guide walks you through every method — on the website and the IRCTC Rail Connect app — including what to do if your registered mobile number or email is no longer accessible.

Change vs Reset: If you know your current password and just want to update it, see How to Change Password below. If you've forgotten it entirely, follow the reset steps in this guide.

Method 1: Reset Password via IRCTC Website (irctc.co.in)

This is the most reliable method and works on any browser.

Steps to Reset

1. Go to https://www.irctc.co.in
2. Click "Login" in the top-right corner
3. On the login popup, click "Forgot Password?" (below the password field)
4. Enter your User ID (your IRCTC username) and the Captcha shown on screen
5. Click "Submit"
6. Choose your verification method:
   • OTP on registered mobile number
   • OTP on registered email ID
   • Security question (if you set one during registration)
7. Enter the OTP or answer the security question
8. You'll be taken to the "Set New Password" page
9. Enter your new password (following the password requirements below)
10. Confirm the new password and click "Submit"
11. You'll see a success message — log in with your new password

Tip: If the page doesn't load or shows errors, try during off-peak hours (before 8 AM or after 11 PM). IRCTC servers are busiest between 10 AM–12 PM when Tatkal booking opens.

Method 2: Reset Password via IRCTC Rail Connect App

The IRCTC Rail Connect mobile app also lets you reset your password.

Steps to Reset on the App

1. Open the IRCTC Rail Connect app on your phone
2. Tap "Login"
3. Tap "Forgot Password?" below the password field
4. Enter your User ID
5. Complete the captcha verification
6. Select your preferred OTP method — mobile or email
7. Enter the OTP received
8. Set your new password and confirm it
9. Tap "Submit"

Note: Make sure you're using the latest version of the app. Older versions may show errors during password reset. Update from Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Reset Using Mobile OTP vs Email OTP vs Security Question

IRCTC offers three verification methods. Here's when to use each:

Tips for Each Method

• Mobile OTP: Ensure your registered SIM is active and has network signal. OTP comes from IRCTC's bulk SMS service — it won't work if you've blocked promotional messages via DND. To unblock, send START to 1909.
• Email OTP: Check your Spam/Junk folder. IRCTC emails sometimes get filtered. Add irctc@irctc.co.in to your contacts to prevent this.
• Security Question: The answer is case-sensitive and must match exactly what you entered during registration. Common questions include "What is your favourite colour?" or "What is your pet's name?"

What to Do If Registered Email or Phone Is No Longer Accessible

This is the trickiest situation. If you've changed your phone number or lost access to your registered email, you cannot receive the OTP.

Option 1: Try Security Question

If you set a security question during registration, use that method instead — it doesn't require OTP.

Option 2: Contact IRCTC Customer Care

If no verification method works:

1. Email IRCTC: Send an email to care@irctc.co.in from any email address
   • Subject: "Password Reset — Cannot Access Registered Mobile/Email"
   • Include: Your User ID, full name as registered, date of birth, and a copy of your Aadhaar or PAN for identity verification
2. Call IRCTC Helpline: 14646 or 011-23340000 (available 24/7)
3. Use the IRCTC Feedback Form: Visit https://www.irctc.co.in → scroll to bottom → click "Contact Us" or "Feedback"

Important: IRCTC may take 3–7 working days to manually verify your identity and reset your account. Keep your ID proof ready.

Option 3: Create a New Account

If the old account is not linked to any upcoming bookings, it may be faster to create a new IRCTC account with your current mobile number and email. Note: you'll lose access to old booking history and any wallet balance.

IRCTC Password Requirements

When setting a new password, IRCTC requires:

• Minimum 8 characters, maximum 15 characters
• At least one uppercase letter (A–Z)
• At least one lowercase letter (a–z)
• At least one number (0–9)
• At least one special character (@, #, $, %, &, *, !, etc.)
• Cannot be the same as your last 3 passwords
• Cannot contain your User ID or common sequences like 123456

Example of a valid password: Train@2026safe

Tip: Avoid using your name, date of birth, or phone number in the password. Use a password manager to store it securely.

How to Change Password (When You Know Current One)

If you're already logged in or know your current password and simply want to update it:

1. Log in to https://www.irctc.co.in with your current credentials
2. Click on "My Profile" (or your username in the top-right corner)
3. Select "Change Password"
4. Enter your current password
5. Enter your new password and confirm it
6. Click "Submit"

On the IRCTC Rail Connect app:

1. Log in → tap the menu icon (☰) → My Profile
2. Tap "Change Password"
3. Enter current and new passwords
4. Tap "Submit"

Common Errors During Password Reset and Fixes

"Invalid User ID"

• Double-check your username — it's case-sensitive
• If you don't remember your User ID, click "Forgot User ID" on the login page and recover it using your registered email or mobile

"OTP Not Received"

• Wait at least 2 minutes before clicking "Resend OTP"
• Check if your phone has network signal
• Disable DND (Do Not Disturb) — send START to 1909
• For email OTP, check Spam/Junk folder
• Try during off-peak hours if IRCTC servers are overloaded

"OTP Expired"

• OTPs are valid for 10 minutes only
• Don't request multiple OTPs — use the latest one received
• Click "Resend OTP" and enter the new OTP immediately

"Password Does Not Meet Requirements"

• Ensure your password has 8–15 characters with uppercase, lowercase, number, and special character
• Don't reuse your last 3 passwords
• Avoid spaces in the password

"Captcha Error" or Captcha Not Loading

• Refresh the page and try a new captcha
• Clear browser cache and cookies
• Try a different browser (Chrome recommended)
• Disable browser extensions that may block images

"Service Temporarily Unavailable"

• IRCTC servers face heavy load during Tatkal hours (10 AM–12 PM)
• Try again after 30 minutes or during off-peak hours (early morning or late night)
• Use a wired internet connection for better stability

"Account Locked After Multiple Failed Attempts"

• If you entered the wrong password or OTP too many times, your account may be temporarily locked
• Wait 30 minutes and try again
• See our detailed guide: IRCTC Account Locked — How to Unlock

Important Tips

1. Bookmark the official site — always use irctc.co.in and not third-party lookalikes
2. Save your User ID somewhere safe — you'll need it for password reset
3. Keep registered mobile and email active — these are essential for account recovery
4. Update your profile if you change your phone number — do it while you still have access
5. Never share OTP with anyone — IRCTC will never call and ask for your OTP

Related Guides

• IRCTC Account Locked After Multiple Attempts — How to Unlock It
• IRCTC Account Locked? Fix Multiple Failed Login Attempts
• IRCTC OTP Not Received? How to Fix OTP Problems During Login & Booking
• IRCTC Payment Deducted But Ticket Not Booked — How to Get Refund
• IRCTC Tatkal Ticket Booking Not Working — How to Fix

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I reset my IRCTC password if I forgot it?

Go to irctc.co.in, click "Login" → "Forgot Password", enter your User ID, verify via OTP (mobile/email) or security question, then set a new password.

Can I reset my IRCTC password from the mobile app?

Yes. Open the IRCTC Rail Connect app → tap "Login" → tap "Forgot Password" → follow the on-screen steps to reset via OTP.

What if I don't receive the OTP for password reset?

Wait 2 minutes, then click "Resend OTP". Check your phone signal and ensure DND is disabled (send START to 1909). For email OTP, check the Spam folder. If nothing works, try the security question method.

What are IRCTC password requirements?

Your password must be 8–15 characters long and include at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number, and one special character. It cannot be the same as your last 3 passwords.

How do I change my IRCTC password without forgetting it?

Log in to irctc.co.in → click "My Profile" → "Change Password" → enter your current and new password → submit.

What should I do if my registered mobile number is changed?

Try using the email OTP or security question method. If none work, contact IRCTC at care@irctc.co.in or call 14646 with your ID proof for manual verification.

How long does IRCTC OTP take to arrive?

Mobile OTPs usually arrive within 10–60 seconds. Email OTPs may take 1–5 minutes. During peak hours, there may be delays.

Can I use the same password again on IRCTC?

No. IRCTC does not allow reusing your last 3 passwords. You must choose a new one each time.

Related IRCTC Guides

• IRCTC Login Not Working? Fix Password, OTP & Account Issues
• IRCTC Account Locked — How to Unlock It
• IRCTC OTP Not Received? How to Fix OTP Problems
• IRCTC Tatkal Ticket Booking Not Working — How to Fix
• How to Check Train PNR Status, Book Ticket & Cancel

This guide is for informational purposes only. CitizenNest is an independent platform and is not affiliated with IRCTC or Indian Railways. Always refer to the official IRCTC website for the latest information.