Booking Tatkal train tickets often feels like a race against time. With limited seats and thousands of users trying simultaneously, even a few seconds of delay can result in a waitlisted ticket. One of the biggest reasons passengers miss out is the time spent repeatedly entering passenger details. To solve this problem, IRCTC offers a powerful but often overlooked feature called the Master List, which can significantly speed up the booking process.
The Master List is a pre-saved database of passenger details that allows users to store information of frequent travellers in advance. This includes details such as name, age, gender, address, and valid ID proof. Once added, these details can be selected instantly during ticket booking instead of typing everything manually.
This feature was introduced by IRCTC to improve booking efficiency, increase transparency, and reduce chances of incorrect or fraudulent entries. During Tatkal bookings, where every second matters, the Master List can be the key to securing a confirmed seat.
Using the Master List comes with several advantages, especially for regular train travellers:
Faster ticket booking by eliminating repeated data entry
Reduced chances of errors in passenger details
Easy management of family or group bookings
Supports adding details of up to 12 passengers
More secure and organised booking experience
By selecting passengers directly from the saved list, users can move quickly to the payment stage, improving their chances during Tatkal hours.
Creating a Master List is simple and takes only a few minutes:
Log in to your IRCTC account using the website or mobile app
Go to My Profile or Master List section
Click on Add Passenger
Enter accurate details such as name, age, gender, address, and ID proof
Save the information
Once saved, these details are instantly available for all future bookings, including Tatkal tickets.
For passengers who travel often, the Master List is a real game-changer. It removes the pressure of filling forms during peak booking time and allows travellers to focus on seat selection and payment. With minimal preparation done beforehand, Tatkal bookings become quicker, smoother, and far less stressful.
