Solving problems with IRCTC/Cleartrip registration

Yes, the Mobile OTP (One Time Password) and Verification code are the same thing. What seems to have changed since my attempt to activate my first registration a month ago is that then you were sent an email OTP and an Mobile OPT, which you had to put together to achieve activation. (Or so I understood, although I never got that far). Whereas now the email OTP seems to have been dropped, and the Mobile OTP has be re-named the Verification Code. This worked for me, but only because my emaisl were finally getting through to IRCTC.

Initially I registered with Cleartrip, but they could do nothing to help me in my unconsummated affair with IRCTC, so I dropped them, ordered an AMEX card, re-registered with IRCTC under another User ID and with another email address, and the procedure went like clockwork.

I'm just destroyed at the sheer torture of trying to get a bloody train ticket, and there's no pressure on me, I don't even know if I need one yet, and if I do, I won't need to book it for another month, but I just thought I'd get the registration process over with.

To reduce the risk of any of the codes running out, I started a new email, and registered at both cleartrip and IRCTC again, then sent off for the Mobile OTP, yet again, the mobile OTP arrived within a couple of hours, so I went to do everything else this morning, but cleartrip can't get through to IRCTC till 12:00 lunchtime (IST).

So I tried again about 40 minutes ago, filled in every field and attempted to send the info, but all I get is a message stating.....

Sorry, but we weren't able to process your IRCTC registration, Please check the fields below and try again.

Well, I've double checked it a dozen times, I've crossed out every field, then done it again, made sure there are no accidental spaces, got others to check for me, and still the same, I've double checked that I am actually registered with IRCTC, everything checks out.

I'm absolutely lost, and so bloody fed up with it all.

Foreigners carry passports, acceptable ID all over the world, why can't we just book rail tickets and use our passports as ID.

Steven

If you are using Internet Explorer that might be the problem.

For some reason Postcodes can cause a problem. I use the same Indian code throughout 110004 and it works for me.

I seem to recall others having a similar "no obvious reason" problem and when they tried a few hours later it worked. Why - I haven't a clue.

Don't give give up. We can't have our rail guru ticketless.

A small point, Dave W, but don't Indian postcodes have six digits ?

Good spot. A typo by me. Thanks for pointing it out.

I have corrected the original post.

Just using 123456 as a zip, and Chrome operating system.

Great news, I got through that page.

Then entered email OTP and Mobile OTP

result

Mobile OTP is invalid (it isn't, but I was probably standing on the wrong leg as I entered the digits)

Just off to see a solicitor to see if I can sue IRCTC/Cleartrip for mental cruelty.

Just found out that I'm doing something a little different to what is advised on seat61, I'm joining IRCTC before cleartrip, I just couldn't see the logic of searching for, then attempting to book a train, just to be able to register with a different website.

Could this really be the problem?

(I'm clicking on 'Sign in to your existing IRCTC Account' before entering any data)

I'm in a bit of a mess now, I can't open another email and try again, I'd just run the risk of getting all 3 IRCTC accounts closed, so I need another way forward.

Any ideas?

I think that you may just have fingered the issue. It might be worth calling the irctc helpline. They can sometimes make things work.

or

Do you know anybody with an Amex card who would buy your tickets for your direct from IRCTC? If you do make sure that the card is registered for "Safe Key" enhamced security. Amex are starting to introduce it and the UK and Singapore appear to be the guinea pigs. An additional bonus with using this route is that you can book between 08.00 and 12.00 IST as IRCTC are not covered by the agent ban.

ADDED - perhaps you could close the IRCTC account and start again via Cleartrip. I'm not sure whether that would work but you wouldn't be any worse off if it didn't.

My sanity would be stretched too far I think.

Thanks Dave, I'm fairly sure any one of your suggestions would work if I persisted, but I've been at this since last Wednesday and I think I need a break, I may try again next week.

We had a friend stay with us over the weekend, someone I used to travel around India with, he couldn't stop laughing when I told him I couldn't buy a rail ticket, even with my extreme sense of humor, I wasn't laughing.

steven! that IS hugely ironic that you of all people can't buy a train ticket!

I was actually amazed how quickly my signup was successful, less than 12 hours....

I tried opening my account with IRCTC (been using it for years), went around in circles, kept on getting a reply from them which left me again right at the beginning (pretty bald so no hair to tear out!) and after about 30-35 emails over a period of 3 -4 weeks to them gave up and opened a new account (Phoning far to expensive ).
With new username and password managed to open IRCTC and Cleartrip account and did a trial booking with Cleartrip as don't have AMEX card and it went through.
I think that if it does not work just keep opening a new account till you manage (make sure you write down username,password and Email so don't get muddled up between trying to open another account)). You have to open first with IRCTC and only then open a Cleartrip account.
For us the whole system is quite illogical but not much we can do about it (try some breathing exercises to lower your blood pressure!))

I beg to differ.

I am now certain that starting by registering with Cleartrip and following their prompts through to IRCTC registration is the best way to go. Once you have the IRCTC SUCCESSFUL REGISTRATION e-mail and the Mobile Verification code you must login to the IRCTC account before you trigger the activation link to Cleartrip.

It worked without problems for an account opened in my wife's name a few weeks ago.

Hi. New to India Mike, not new to India, but new to booking on Cleartrip!
Would appreciate advice on trying to register but not having an Indian mobile. It is asking me for the OTP sent to me by email and by mobile (I put in my UK mobile number and it hasn't sent me anything).
Thanks in advance!
Also, for a 40 year old female who is considering a 40 hour journey on her own from Kolkata to Cochin by train - is sleeper class a crazy idea, or manageable?!

There are good 40 hour journeys (overnight-daytime-overnight) and one's that seem a whole lot longer (daytime-overnight-daytime)

It really depends on you and your attitude, many people will try to tell you it's too long a journey in Sleeper Class, and they're not necessarily saying that because your female.

Personally, I feel that with the right attitude, and the right berth, it can be a real interesting journey.

Here's a long post I done about Sleeper Class.

Sleeper Class details & photos.

Thanks a lot. I had already read your article - really good detail! The journey is an overnight, daytime, overnight, so perhaps not so bad, and I don't like the thought of being sealed in AC! Another Q - I am still trying to get my head around Cleartrip, and find somewhere to scan my passport etc. I would like to do this journey 1st Nov - do you think it needs to be booked asap (before I leave UK), or have you had success in getting a ticket a few days or so before? Thank you again.