How to Apply for the SBI IRCTC Credit Card in 2026

title: "How to Apply for the SBI IRCTC Credit Card in 2026" slug: how-to-apply-for-sbi-irctc-credit-card excerpt: "Apply for the co-branded SBI IRCTC Credit Card and earn 5% cashback on IRCTC train bookings. Eligibility, benefits, and the application process." category: how-to-apply tags:

• sbi
• irctc
• railways
• cashback
• travel relatedCards:
• sbi-irctc heroImage: /images/guides/sbi-irctc.svg publishedAt: "2026-06-18T16:57:29.265Z"

The SBI IRCTC Credit Card is a co-branded travel card for Indian Railways. It offers 5% cashback on IRCTC train bookings, 1.8% transaction fee waiver on railway bookings, 4 domestic lounge visits per year, 1% fuel surcharge waiver, and 1 reward point per ₹125 on all other spends. The annual fee is ₹500, waived on ₹30,000 spends.

Why this matters

If you book more than 4 train tickets a year on IRCTC, the 5% cashback recovers the annual fee in 2 bookings. The 1.8% transaction fee waiver is unique — no other card waives the IRCTC transaction fee. The 4 lounge visits are a useful secondary benefit for an occasional traveller.

Related cards

How to Apply for the SBI IRCTC Credit Card in 2026

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    <span class="absolute -left-[11px] flex size-5 items-center justify-center bg-brand-primary text-[10px] font-semibold text-white" aria-hidden="true">1</span>
    <h4 class="mb-1 text-base font-semibold text-ink">Check IRCTC card eligibility</h4>
    <p class="text-sm leading-relaxed text-ink-muted">You must be 21–60 years old, a resident Indian, with a minimum monthly income of ₹20,000. CIBIL score of 720+ is preferred.</p>
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    <h4 class="mb-1 text-base font-semibold text-ink">Apply online via SBI Card website or IRCTC</h4>
    <p class="text-sm leading-relaxed text-ink-muted">Visit sbicard.com → Personal → Credit Cards → IRCTC. The application is also available on irctc.co.in → Offers → Credit Cards.</p>
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    <h4 class="mb-1 text-base font-semibold text-ink">Complete the application</h4>
    <p class="text-sm leading-relaxed text-ink-muted">Provide your name (as on PAN), PAN, Aadhaar, mobile, email, address, employment details, and monthly income.</p>
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    <h4 class="mb-1 text-base font-semibold text-ink">Complete Aadhaar eKYC</h4>
    <p class="text-sm leading-relaxed text-ink-muted">Authorize Aadhaar OTP eKYC. Verification completes within 60 seconds.</p>
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    <h4 class="mb-1 text-base font-semibold text-ink">Submit and track</h4>
    <p class="text-sm leading-relaxed text-ink-muted">Submit the form. The 12-digit application reference is shown. Track status in SBI Card app. Approval takes 5–10 working days.</p>
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    <h4 class="mb-1 text-base font-semibold text-ink">Pay the joining fee and receive the card</h4>
    <p class="text-sm leading-relaxed text-ink-muted">Once approved, SBI will charge ₹500 + GST as the joining fee. The card is delivered within 5 working days. Activate via IVR, SBI Card app, or at any SBI ATM.</p>
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    <h4 class="mb-1 text-base font-semibold text-ink">Use the card on IRCTC</h4>
    <p class="text-sm leading-relaxed text-ink-muted">Use the card on irctc.co.in to book train tickets. Earn 5% cashback + 1.8% transaction fee waiver. Cashback is capped at ₹500 per month.</p>
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    <h4 class="mb-1 text-base font-semibold text-ink">Use the 4 lounge visits</h4>
    <p class="text-sm leading-relaxed text-ink-muted">The card includes 4 domestic lounge visits per year via Dreamfolks. Register on Dreamfolks and link the card before your first travel.</p>
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Common mistakes to avoid

The 5% cashback is capped at ₹500 per month. The 1.8% transaction fee waiver is only on IRCTC, not on rail booking via third-party apps. The 4 lounge visits are via Dreamfolks — register before your first travel.

Pro tips

• Use the card only for IRCTC bookings to maximise 5% cashback
• Track the ₹500/month cashback cap in the SBI Card app
• Register on Dreamfolks and link the card before your first flight
• Pair with SBI BPCL Octane for fuel cashback

Frequently asked questions

What is the annual fee on the IRCTC card?

₹500 + GST, waived on ₹30,000 spends in the previous 12 months.

What is the 5% cashback cap?

5% is capped at ₹500 per month on IRCTC bookings.

Does the 1.8% transaction fee waiver apply to third-party apps?

No. The waiver is only on irctc.co.in and IRCTC Rail Connect app.