Industry Odisha Bureau, Sept 17: Booking a Tatkal ticket on IRCTC can be difficult, especially during festive seasons when thousands of passengers try to book seats at the same time. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism (IRCTC) has released a few tips that can help make the process faster and smoother.
Know the booking time
Tatkal booking opens at 10 AM for AC classes and 11 AM for non-AC classes. Log in a few minutes before the window opens so you are ready when the bookings begin.
Save passenger details
Add frequently travelling passengers to the IRCTC master list beforehand. This ensures time is saved because you do not have to enter their details manually during booking.
Keep your account and payment
Ensure your IRCTC account is verified and keep a fast payment option ready. UPI or the IRCTC eWallet can help reduce payment time.
Avoid unnecessary preferences
If getting a confirmed ticket is the priority, avoid restricting your booking with specific berth or seat preferences. Selecting “No Preference” can give the system more flexibility when allocating available berths.
Keep a strong internet connection
Use a reliable internet connection and keep the IRCTC app or website open before booking starts. If your preferred train is full, check alternative trains and timings.
While these steps cannot guarantee a confirmed Tatkal ticket, but they can reduce delays and improve your chances of completing the booking quickly.

