IRCTC OTP Not Received? Fix Login & Booking OTP Issues

IRCTC sends OTPs (One-Time Passwords) during login, ticket booking, and payment verification. If you're not receiving the OTP on your registered mobile number or email, it can block your entire booking process. This guide covers all the common reasons and fixes for IRCTC OTP issues.

Why IRCTC OTP Is Not Received

There are several reasons why your IRCTC OTP may not arrive:

• Network congestion — During peak booking hours (10:00 AM for Tatkal), SMS delivery gets delayed
• Wrong registered mobile number — Your IRCTC account may have an old or incorrect mobile number
• DND (Do Not Disturb) activated — Your telecom operator may block transactional SMS if DND settings are misconfigured
• SMS inbox full — Some phones block new SMS when storage is full
• Telecom operator issues — Temporary outage or delay from your mobile service provider
• IRCTC server overload — High traffic periods cause OTP generation delays
• Email OTP in spam folder — Email OTPs may land in spam or promotions tab

Step-by-Step Fixes for IRCTC OTP Issues

Fix 1: Wait and Retry

1. Wait at least 2-3 minutes — OTPs can be delayed during peak hours
2. Do NOT click "Resend OTP" multiple times rapidly — this can further delay delivery
3. After 2 minutes, click Resend OTP once
4. Check if the OTP arrives within the next 1-2 minutes

Fix 2: Check Your Registered Mobile Number

1. Go to IRCTC website
2. Log in to your account
3. Go to My Profile → Personal Details
4. Verify that the mobile number shown is your current active number
5. If the number is old or wrong, update it immediately under profile settings

Fix 3: Switch to Email OTP

If SMS OTP is not coming, IRCTC provides an email OTP option:

1. On the OTP screen, look for the option "Send OTP to Email" or "Use Email OTP"
2. Click on it — IRCTC will send a 6-digit OTP to your registered email
3. Check your inbox, spam, and promotions folders
4. Enter the email OTP to proceed

Fix 4: Disable DND on Your Mobile

1. Jio users — Dial 1909, select option to deactivate DND, or use MyJio app
2. Airtel users — Dial 1909 or send SMS STOP 0 to 1909
3. Vi users — Dial 1909 or use the Vi app
4. BSNL users — Send SMS STOP to 1909
5. After disabling DND, wait 24 hours for the change to take effect
6. Alternatively, activate Category 0 (banking/transactional SMS) so OTPs are not blocked

Fix 5: Clear IRCTC App Cache

If using the IRCTC Rail Connect app:

1. Go to Settings → Apps → IRCTC Rail Connect
2. Tap Clear Cache (do NOT clear data — that will log you out)
3. Force stop the app and reopen it
4. Try the OTP process again

Fix 6: Try a Different Browser or Device

1. If using Chrome, try Firefox or Edge
2. Clear your browser cookies and cache for irctc.co.in
3. Disable any VPN or ad blocker — these can interfere with OTP delivery
4. Try using the IRCTC Rail Connect mobile app instead of the website (or vice versa)

Fix 7: Check for IRCTC Server Issues

1. Visit IRCTC website — if the site itself is slow, servers are likely overloaded
2. Try booking outside peak hours (avoid 10:00-10:30 AM Tatkal window)
3. Check social media or downdetector.in for reported IRCTC outages

IRCTC OTP During Payment — Special Case

During ticket payment, the OTP comes from your bank or payment gateway, NOT from IRCTC:

• If payment OTP is not received, contact your bank's customer care
• Ensure your mobile number is updated with your bank (not just IRCTC)
• Try a different payment method — UPI, net banking, or a different debit/credit card

Contact IRCTC for OTP Issues

If none of the above fixes work:

When contacting IRCTC care, provide your User ID, registered mobile number, and registered email for faster resolution.

How to Update Mobile Number in IRCTC

If your registered mobile number is wrong or changed:

1. Log in to IRCTC
2. Go to My Profile
3. Click Edit next to personal details
4. Update your mobile number
5. You will receive a verification OTP on the new number
6. Enter the OTP to confirm the change

Note: If you cannot log in at all (because OTP goes to old number), email care@irctc.co.in with your User ID, old mobile number, new mobile number, and a copy of your Aadhaar/PAN for verification.

Important Tips

1. Keep your IRCTC profile updated — Ensure your mobile number and email are current
2. Avoid peak hours for non-urgent bookings — OTP delivery is faster during off-peak times
3. Enable email OTP as backup — Always keep a valid email linked to your IRCTC account
4. Don't spam the Resend button — Wait at least 2 minutes between resend attempts
5. Check DND status regularly — Ensure transactional SMS category is allowed on your number

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is IRCTC OTP not coming on my mobile?

Common reasons include network congestion, DND activation, wrong registered mobile number, or IRCTC server overload during peak hours. Try waiting 2-3 minutes and then clicking Resend OTP.

How do I get IRCTC OTP on email instead of mobile?

On the OTP verification screen, look for the "Send OTP to Email" option. Click it to receive the OTP on your registered email address. Check spam and promotions folders if it does not appear in your inbox.

IRCTC OTP received but expired — what to do?

IRCTC OTPs are valid for a limited time (usually 2-5 minutes). Click Resend OTP to get a fresh one. Enter it immediately upon receipt. Avoid switching tabs or apps while waiting.

Can I book IRCTC tickets without OTP?

No, OTP verification is mandatory for IRCTC login and ticket booking for security purposes. You cannot bypass the OTP step. However, you can switch between SMS and email OTP.

IRCTC OTP not received even after disabling DND?

DND changes can take up to 24-48 hours to take effect. In the meantime, use the email OTP option. If the issue persists beyond 48 hours, contact your telecom provider and IRCTC care at care@irctc.co.in.

How long does IRCTC OTP take to arrive?

Usually within 30 seconds to 2 minutes. During Tatkal booking hours (10:00-11:00 AM for AC, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM for non-AC), delays of 3-5 minutes are common due to server load.

This guide is for informational purposes only. CitizenNest is an independent platform and is not affiliated with Indian Railways or IRCTC. For official information, visit irctc.co.in. Also see our IRCTC account unlock guide if you're facing login issues.