IRCTC agent login and agent interface
Agents book on IRCTC's own site with an agent ID, not a personal account. Here is where to sign in, what the agent interface changes, and why a login usually fails.
Which link you use depends on how your agent ID signs in. The two login types use different links. SiOnline never asks for your IRCTC password.
OTP login, DSC login, or both.
Both are legitimate agent logins, and a Class 3 DSC is optional. OTP login and DSC login use different login links, shown on each card below. The difference is hardware, validity and renewal cost, not what you can book. Agents cannot log in through an app.
Class 3 digital signature (DSC), optional
A physical USB token signs each booking. It is the traditional agent login and does not depend on mobile network coverage.
- Hardware
- USB dongle
- Validity
- 2 years
- DSC price
- ₹6,000 incl. GST for 2 years
- Login link
- www.irctc.co.in/eticket/train-search
- Setup
- Install guide
OTP-based login
No dongle. Each session is authorised by a one-time password to the registered mobile number, so the number must stay current.
- Hardware
- None
- Validity
- 1 year
- Renewal
- ₹1,180 / year
- Login link
- www.ics.irctc.co.in/eticket/train-search
- Mobile change
- How to update
What an agent login actually changes.
The agent interface is not a cosmetic difference. These are the rules that change the day your agent ID activates.
| Feature | Personal IRCTC account | IRCTC agent login |
|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | Anyone booking their own travel | A registered business selling tickets |
| Monthly booking cap | Capped per IRCTC rules | No monthly cap on the agent ID |
| Tatkal access | From the opening minute | Blocked 30 min — AC from 10:30 AM, non-AC from 11:30 AM |
| Charge to customers | Not applicable | Fixed ₹40 AC / ₹20 non-AC per PNR only, printed on the ticket. No extra charge is allowed. |
| Authorisation certificate | No | Yes |
| Sign-in method | ID and password | OTP login, DSC login, or both (DSC is optional) |
| Renewal cost | None | Depends on your ID plan |
| How you get it | Self-registration on irctc.co.in | Through an authorised PSP |
Agent bookings remain subject to IRCTC's rules at all times, including the per-train Tatkal limit and the 30-minute agent block. Tatkal timings explained.
Six things that stop an agent login working.
Dongle not detected
The Class 3 DSC driver has to be installed and the token plugged in before you open the browser. Windows sometimes assigns it to a different USB port silently — reseat it and reopen.
Java or browser blocking the signature
The signing applet is strict about browser versions and blocked pop-ups. Our dongle guide covers the exact settings that work.
OTP not arriving
The OTP goes to the mobile number registered against the agent ID, not your personal IRCTC account. If that number has changed, it has to be updated first.
Password rejected after a reset
IRCTC forces a fresh password at first login after a reset. Log in once on the same machine you will use day to day before the session expires.
Session drops mid-booking
The agent interface times out faster than the consumer site. Keep passenger details ready before you start the booking rather than typing them in-session.
ID not yet activated
A newly issued agent ID is not live until KYC completes at IRCTC’s end. Check status rather than retrying the login.
Support runs 24 hours, 7 days on +91 91091 35959. Send us your agent ID if you are stuck — never your password.
IRCTC does not issue agent IDs directly.
Agent registration runs through a Principal Service Provider. SiOnline is on IRCTC's official register of authorised PSPs — page 6, row 27 — and you can check that yourself before you spend anything.
- Registration
- ₹3,000
- AC agent charge
- ₹40 / PNR
- Non-AC agent charge
- ₹20 / PNR
- Monthly cap
- None
Questions agents ask about signing in.
What is the IRCTC agent login URL?
Agents book on IRCTC's own website, signing in with an agent ID rather than a personal account. The link depends on your login type. For OTP-based login use https://www.ics.irctc.co.in/eticket/train-search. For DSC (dongle) login use https://www.irctc.co.in/eticket/train-search. Agents cannot log in through an app. SiOnline does not host a booking portal and will never ask for your IRCTC password.
What is the IRCTC agent interface?
It is the booking screen an agent ID sees after signing in. It differs from the consumer view: a shorter session timeout, the fixed agent charge per PNR, and no access to Premium Tatkal.
How do I get an IRCTC agent ID?
IRCTC does not issue agent IDs directly. You register through a Principal Service Provider, which is what SiOnline is — we are on IRCTC's official register. See IRCTC agent registration.
Do I need a digital signature dongle to log in?
No. A Class 3 DSC is optional. You can choose OTP login, DSC login, or both. OTP login is valid for 1 year. DSC login is valid for 2 years and costs ₹6,000 incl. GST for 2 years. The two use different login links, given at the top of this page. Both options are covered on the registration page.
Can agents book Tatkal tickets?
Yes, after a 30-minute block. Agents are blocked 10:00–10:30 AM on AC classes and 11:00–11:30 AM on non-AC, so booking opens at 10:30 AM and 11:30 AM respectively. Premium Tatkal is not available on an agent login.
Is there a monthly limit on agent bookings?
There is no monthly cap on the agent ID, unlike a personal IRCTC login. Bookings remain subject to IRCTC’s rules, including the Tatkal per-train limit.
Can I use the agent login on more than one computer?
With DSC login, the digital signature is tied to the token, so you can move the dongle between machines provided the driver is installed on each. OTP login is not tied to one machine. Sharing credentials is a breach of the agent terms.
How do I find my agent ID?
It is issued when your registration completes and is sent to the email and mobile on the application. If you have lost it, call us on +91 91091 35959 — we can look it up against your registered details. We cannot retrieve passwords.
How much does an agent ID cost?
₹3,000 incl. GST for Standard, which is for OTP login. DSC login is an optional add-on at ₹6,000 incl. GST for 2 years. Renewal is ₹2,360 a year for the agent ID and ₹1,180 a year for OTP login. The ₹236 monthly maintenance charge is separate. Full breakdown on the fees page.
Get your own IRCTC agent login.
We check your eligibility before you pay anything, and verify your documents against IRCTC's requirements before the agent ID is created.