Booking train tickets on the IRCTC website or app is now faster and easier than ever. Thanks to IRCTC eWallet, you no longer have to worry about failed payments, slow bank servers, or OTP delays during Tatkal bookings.
In this post, you’ll learn everything about IRCTC eWallet, how it works, its benefits, and how to register for it step by step.
What is IRCTC eWallet?
IRCTC eWallet is a prepaid online wallet offered by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).
It allows you to add money in advance to your IRCTC account. Later, when you book tickets, you can simply pay from that balance instead of using debit cards, credit cards, or UPI every time.
Think of it as your personal wallet inside the IRCTC website — safe, quick, and always ready to help you book tickets instantly.
Why IRCTC Introduced eWallet?
Every day, millions of Indians try to book train tickets online. During this process, many users face payment failures because of slow bank servers or poor internet connections.
To solve this, IRCTC introduced eWallet — so you can book tickets without depending on banks. With money already stored in your account, your booking gets confirmed in just a few seconds.
This is especially useful for Tatkal bookings, where even a delay of 10 seconds can mean losing your seat.
Benefits of Using IRCTC eWallet
Here are some key reasons why using eWallet makes train ticket booking so much easier:
1. ⚡ Faster Bookings
You don’t have to wait for OTPs or bank approvals. Since your money is already in your eWallet, you can complete your booking in just a few clicks.
2. 🔐 Secure Transactions
Every time you make a payment through eWallet, you’ll need to enter a transaction password or PIN. This ensures your account is safe and your money is secure.
3. 💸 Easy Refunds
When you cancel a ticket, your refund is automatically credited to your eWallet the next day. You don’t have to wait for your bank to process it.
4. 🌐 Full Online Control
You can manage everything online — add money, check balance, view history, and change your transaction password anytime.
5. 🏦 Reduced Bank Dependency
If a bank’s server is down, you can still book your train tickets easily through your eWallet balance. You’re no longer dependent on a specific bank.
6. 💰 Save on Payment Gateway Charges
Each time you book through banks, you might pay small service fees. Using eWallet helps you avoid most of those extra charges.
Key Features of IRCTC eWallet
Here’s what makes IRCTC eWallet so powerful and convenient:
- Pre-deposit money: Load your eWallet with money in advance.
- Faster payment: Skip bank approvals and OTPs during booking.
- Transaction security: Protected by password/PIN.
- Easy refund: Refunds from canceled tickets go directly to your eWallet.
- Online management: Add money and view your history anytime.
- Less dependency on banks: Works even when some banks go offline.
- Multiple payment choices: Use eWallet with or without other payment options.
- User verification: PAN or Aadhaar-based authentication for safety.
How to Register for IRCTC eWallet?
Getting started with IRCTC eWallet is super easy. Just follow these simple steps:
- Login to your IRCTC account.
- Click on “IRCTC eWallet Registration” under the eWallet section on the “Plan My Travel” page.
- Enter your PAN or Aadhaar number and other details for verification.
- Pay a one-time registration fee of ₹50 + GST using any available payment method.
- Once verified, your eWallet will be activated.
- Add at least ₹100 to your eWallet (you can add up to ₹10,000).
- The next time you book a ticket, select “IRCTC eWallet” as your payment method.
That’s it! You can now enjoy quick, secure, and smooth ticket bookings anytime.
IRCTC eWallet Charges and Limits
Here’s a quick table showing the charges and limits of the IRCTC eWallet:
| Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Registration Fee | ₹50 + GST (one-time, non-refundable) |
| Transaction Charge | ₹10 + GST per booking |
| Minimum Deposit | ₹100 |
| Maximum Balance | ₹10,000 |
| Refund Time | Within 1 working day |
| Redemption / Cash Withdrawal | Not allowed |
| Eligibility | Indian nationals with Indian mobile number |
Security and Verification
Your IRCTC eWallet is protected through multiple security layers:
- User Authentication: PAN or Aadhaar verification ensures only genuine users can register.
- Transaction Password/PIN: Needed for every booking, just like an ATM PIN.
- Encrypted System: All transactions are securely processed through IRCTC servers.
This means your money and personal details remain completely safe.
Important Things to Know
Before using IRCTC eWallet, keep these things in mind:
- eWallet can only be used for train ticket bookings.
- No cash withdrawal or transfer of balance is allowed.
- Refunds go only to your eWallet, not to your bank account.
- Only Indian users with Indian mobile numbers can register.
- IRCTC may change membership or transaction charges anytime.
Example: How eWallet Helps in Real Life?
Let’s say you’re booking a Tatkal ticket at 10 AM. You enter all details and proceed to payment. Suddenly, your bank’s server goes down, or the UPI app lags. The booking fails — and the seats are gone.
If you had used IRCTC eWallet, your payment would have been processed instantly from your wallet balance, and your seat would be confirmed in seconds.
That’s why most regular train travelers always keep some money in their IRCTC eWallet.
How to Check and Manage Your eWallet Balance?
Once you activate eWallet, a new option called “IRCTC eWallet” appears on your account dashboard.
From there, you can:
- Check your current balance
- Add or top-up funds
- View payment and refund history
- Change your transaction password
Everything is neatly organized and easy to access.
Final Thoughts
The IRCTC eWallet is one of the best features introduced by Indian Railways for online passengers. It saves time, prevents failed payments, and gives you a smooth booking experience every time.
For regular travelers, it’s a must-have tool. You’ll never again lose a seat because of slow banks or UPI failures.
If you haven’t activated your eWallet yet, do it now — it takes just a few minutes and gives you total control over your train bookings.
