IRCTC tatkal booking: Here are top tips to book confirmed tickets before Diwali, Chhath

With Diwali and Chhath festivals round the corner, Indian Railways expects a massive surge in passenger traffic. People across India, particularly in the north, are expected to travel to their hometowns for festive celebrations. Every year, the festive rush leads to high demand for train tickets, making last-minute travel a challenge for passengers. In such situations, Tatkal ticket booking is the last hope for those who fail to plan their journey in advance. However, securing a Tatkal ticket is often difficult due to the limited availability of seats and an unexpected surge in demand during this time of the year.

IRCTC tatkal tips: Ways to book confirmed tickets

Be Prepared in Advance: To increase the likelihood of securing a confirmed Tatkal ticket, passengers should keep all passenger and payment details ready before the Tatkal booking window opens.

Use IRCTC’s Master List: IRCTC allows users to create a “master list” using Aadhaar-based authentication. This list stores details like name, age, seat preference, and meal choice, helping passengers save time during booking.


Opt for Faster Payment Methods: For quicker transactions, passengers should use payment options like UPI. Storing funds in the IRCTC wallet can also speed up the process.

Consider Alternate Trains or Routes: Choosing trains or routes with lower demand can improve your chances of getting a seat. During festive seasons, Indian Railways often runs special trains on busy routes to accommodate the rush.

Use Autofill Tools: Tools like IRCTC Tatkal Magic Autofill, a Chrome extension, can automatically fill in passenger details, making the booking process much faster. Pre-saved information is auto-completed in seconds, giving you a crucial edge.

IRCTC: How to book tatkal tickets?

Step 1: Visit the IRCTC website and log in using your username and password.

Step 2: Enter your journey details—From and To stations, Date of Travel, and Class of Travel.

Step 3: In the quota dropdown, select Tatkal. The next page will show the list of trains available for your route.

Step 4: Click on the preferred class in the selected train. The quota option appears on the right side of the train list.

Step 5: To book, click the “Book Now” button for the chosen train and class.

Step 6: Fill in passenger details—Name (up to 16 characters), Age, Gender, Berth Preference, and Food Choice.

Step 7: Enter the verification code and provide a mobile number to receive booking and cancellation SMS alerts.

Step 8: Click Continue. The next screen will display ticket details, total fare (including GST and convenience charges), and berth availability.

Step 9: After verifying all details, click Continue to proceed to payment.

Step 10: Choose your preferred payment option from the available gateways.

Step 11: Click “Pay & Book” to be redirected to your bank’s payment page. Once the payment is successful, the Ticket Confirmation Page will appear. A Virtual Reservation Message (VRM) will also be sent to your mobile number.