IRCTC bookings: Tips to get a confirmed Tatkal ticket
What's the story
For facilitating last-minute passenger reservations, IRCTC offers online Tatkal ticket booking service.
Such bookings typically open at 10 AM for AC classes, and 11 AM for non-AC classes, one day in advance of the actual date of journey.
Notably, Tatkal reservations are done on first-come-first-served basis.
Here are some handy tips to help you get confirmed Tatkal tickets.
Multiple A/Cs, details
Tips: Use multiple login credentials; Enter passenger details in advance
Use multiple credentials: A simple trick is to open multiple browser windows and try to book the desired Tatkal ticket using different login credentials, as this will increase your chances of getting the ticket.
Enter passenger details beforehand: Always fill in the passenger details prior to the opening of Tatkal ticket bookings. This will help save time, and increase chances of getting the ticket.
More tips
Keep IDs ready; Prefer 2AC over 3AC; Avoid Tatkal-exhausted trains
Keep important IDs like PAN or Driving license ready at your end to avoid wasting time looking for them during booking.
Further, the tickets for 3AC always get exhausted much quicker than 2AC, so always prefer booking Tatkal tickets in 2AC.
Also, do not waste your time trying to book tickets in trains for which Tatkal tickets have already exhausted.
Information
For Tatkal bookings, prefer making payments using Netbanking
Entering lengthy debit/credit card details can end up wasting your time. That's why, it is advisable to adopt netbanking as your payment method for Tatkal bookings, as it is the fastest mode of paying on IRCTC.