As millions of people across India finalize their plans to return home for the Diwali and Dhanteras festivals, a technical outage on the IRCTC website is causing widespread panic and frustration. The national train ticketing platform is experiencing significant malfunctions, with users unable to log in or complete crucial ticket bookings.
Technical Glitch Hits During Peak Booking Time
The troubles began early this morning, with users reporting difficulties since around 9 AM. The core issue is the failure to log in and proceed with the ticket booking process, directly impacting immediate travel plans. This outage is particularly painful because it struck just one day before Dhanteras—a critical window when the high-demand Tatkal booking process was set to begin.
An official statement from the company acknowledged the problem, confirming that the service is down and the team is working to resolve the issue, though it noted that fixing the problem may take some time.
A Recurring Nightmare for Travelers
This is not the first time the IRCTC platform has buckled under pressure. The site has a history of stability issues, including three separate outages in December 2024 alone. The timing of this latest failure—during the most competitive holiday travel period of the year—reignites public frustration over the reliability of the system used by millions.
Travel Survival Guide: 5 Creative Hacks for Booking a Confirmed Tatkal Ticket
With the IRCTC website facing unpredictable service, securing a confirmed train ticket for the festive season is more challenging than ever. Every second counts, especially in the high-stakes world of Tatkal booking.
Here are five essential, creative tips to maximize your chances of getting a confirmed seat this Diwali:
1. The 10-Minute Head Start: Pre-Plan Your Strike
Tatkal booking opens sharp at 10:00 AM for AC coaches and 11:00 AM for Sleeper class—a day before your journey. Waiting until the last minute is a guaranteed path to the waiting list.
The Hack: Log in at least 10 to 15 minutes early. Pre-select your train number, route, and travel class. The goal is to be one click away from the payment gateway the moment the clock strikes the opening time. Every second saved here is a step closer to a confirmed ticket.
2. The Master List Advantage: Skip the Typing Test
During a high-traffic booking frenzy, manually typing passengers' names, ages, and ID numbers will instantly sabotage your chances.
The Hack: Utilize IRCTC's feature to save your passengers' details (a "Master List") in your profile beforehand. When you start the booking, simply select the saved list. This smart move allows you to entirely bypass a complete, time-consuming step in the booking process, saving those precious, ticket-winning seconds.
3. The Power Connection: Ditch the Dial-Up Speeds
A slow or unstable internet connection is the silent killer of Tatkal ambitions. When millions are vying for limited seats, slow loading times mean lost tickets.
The Hack: Prioritize a high-speed broadband connection over mobile data. For ultimate stability, book on a desktop or laptop, as mobile apps can be slower during peak traffic. Crucially: Do not log in from multiple devices—this often triggers session errors that will slow your efforts down even further.
4. The Instant-Pay Strategy: Fastest Payment Wins
Once a seat is assigned to you, you have to pay instantly. Hesitate, and the seat is snatched by the next fastest user.
The Hack: Always opt for the fastest payment options: UPI or using saved card details. Avoid slow methods like E-Wallets or traditional Net Banking transfers, which require multiple authentication steps. Have your UPI PIN or security codes ready and accessible so you don't waste time searching.
5. The Backup Plan: Agile Availability Check
Going into the booking process with only one train option is a major risk. If that one train fills up in the first minute, you're done.
The Hack: Minutes before the Tatkal window opens, check the current seat availability. Keep that page open and refresh cautiously to avoid overloading your session. More importantly, have a backup train or an alternative travel class pre-selected. Being flexible with your choice often allows you to quickly pivot and secure a confirmed ticket when others are stuck waiting.
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