The untold truth behind tatkal ticket booking: VIRAL post forces IRCTC to reveal the real issue!

Tatkal ticket booking is the facility given by the Indian Railways to the passengers who, for some reason, resort to it to travel suddenly. However, passengers have to pay extra money for this, but even after this, it is not necessary that you get a confirmed ticket. Because, thousands of people strive to achieve it at the same time. In such a situation, an X (formerly Twitter) user named Sonu Nigam Singh shared a post about the problems faced during Tatkal ticket booking. Bookings didn't even start, and the seats disappeared in the blink of an eye. IRCTC also reacted to the viral post and explained why this happens.

X user shares frustration over failed booking attempt

According to the two screenshots shared by user Sonu Nigam from @SonuNigamSingh Ex handle, 240 seats were available under the Tatkal quota in Garib Rath going from Delhi to Darbhanga. Booking for the AC bogie was to start at 10 am. He claims that at 10.01 pm, a pop-up came 'Booking has not started yet'. Then the app crashed, and when it refreshed at 10.04 pm, the booking status showed 41 waiting lists.

TATKAL TICKET BOOKING reality: Two screenshots, booking starts at 10am, gareeb rath had 240 seats under tatkal quota.

10.01 am - "booking not started" pop-up appears. then app crashes and starts buffering.

10.04 am - app responds. now it shows status as waiting list 41.

even… pic.twitter.com/ib9i7Qn9mi

— Sonu Nigam (@SonuNigamSingh) May 28, 2025

Screenshots show mysterious seat disappearance

"It is almost impossible to book Tatkal tickets despite having high-speed internet. Then he questioned, I don't know how the agents say that they will get a don't worry confirmed ticket. How this happens is still a mystery today. However, the screenshots shared by Sonu Nigam Singh are from October 2024 and have not gone unnoticed. The post has been viewed more than 1.5 million times so far. See also: Will the coronavirus wreak havoc again? Baba Vanga makes a frightening prediction

IRCTC gave an answer

In this case, IRCTC reacted to its official handle and admitted that due to high traffic, train ticket booking may take longer than usual. It also said that efforts are underway to further improve the user experience for passengers 

How do agents always get confirmed tickets?

IRCTC's response provoked netizens even more and are constantly commenting. People say that this is not a common disturbance, but a scam. The screenshots are screaming that the seats were full even before the booking started. 

Public reaction: "This is not a glitch, it's a scam"

"Is there any ghostly software working?" asked a furious user. Another user asked, "What magic wand do agents have, which the general public does not have?" Another user taunted, "On some routes, it is easier to crack the JEE Advanced exam than to book Tatkal tickets during the festive season."