Skip to content
Compare Cards

Guide

How to Apply for the SBI IRCTC Credit Card in 2026

Piyush Rathod's profile photo Piyush Rathod
3 min read
Reviewed by Gautam Chauhan Last reviewed 5 September 2026 Data verified 5 September 2026

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.

How to Apply for the SBI IRCTC Credit Card in 2026

How to apply Total time: 10 min · Estimated cost: ₹500 (joining fee) · You’ll need: PAN, Aadhaar, mobile, IRCTC account, salary slips (if required)

Apply for the co-branded SBI IRCTC Credit Card and earn 5% cashback on IRCTC train bookings. Eligibility, benefits, and the application process.

  1. Check IRCTC card eligibility — You must be 21–60 years old, a resident Indian, with a minimum monthly income of ₹20,000. CIBIL score of 720+ is preferred.
  2. Apply online via SBI Card website or IRCTC — Visit sbicard.com → Personal → Credit Cards → IRCTC. The application is also available on irctc.co.in → Offers → Credit Cards.
  3. Complete the application — Provide your name (as on PAN), PAN, Aadhaar, mobile, email, address, employment details, and monthly income.
  4. Complete Aadhaar eKYC — Authorize Aadhaar OTP eKYC. Verification completes within 60 seconds.
  5. Submit and track — Submit the form. The 12-digit application reference is shown. Track status in SBI Card app. Approval takes 5–10 working days.
  6. Pay the joining fee and receive the card — 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.
  7. Use the card on IRCTC — 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.
  8. Use the 4 lounge visits — The card includes 4 domestic lounge visits per year via Dreamfolks. Register on Dreamfolks and link the card before your first travel.

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.

Disclosure: FinWiz24 may earn a commission when you apply through links on this page. This does not influence our editorial independence — every card is scored against the same rubric.

Sources

← All guides