In October 2025, many users have reported payment failures during the Tatkal ticket booking on IRCTC, where money gets deducted but the ticket is not confirmed. The main causes include temporary payment gateway issues, network disruptions between IRCTC servers and banks, session timeouts, or occasional software glitches in the booking system. These problems are especially common during peak booking times when the system is heavily loaded.
IRCTC follows a procedure where if the ticket is not booked but payment is deducted, the money is refunded within 2-3 working days after verification by the banks. Users are advised to check the “Failed Transactions” or “My Transactions” section on the IRCTC website or app to monitor their payment status. Situations like choosing a berth that becomes unavailable at last, or communication issues between payment gateways and IRCTC can cause these errors. IRCTC continues to improve system reliability, but travelers should stay cautious and report any discrepancies immediately.
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Causes Behind Payment Failures
Multiple factors cause this issue including technical glitches between IRCTC and payment gateways, network timeouts, server overload due to massive traffic, and sometimes the intentional use of bots by scalpers disrupting genuine bookings. High transaction volume during Tatkal booking hours significantly stresses the system, causing delays or communication errors leading to failed bookings despite debited payments.
Scam and Fraud Risks
The chaos around payment failures is exploited by scammers who leverage fake IDs and automated bot systems to hoard tickets and resell at inflated prices. IRCTC has conducted crackdowns, deactivated millions of fake IDs, and implemented Aadhaar-based authentication to deter fraud but challenges remain.
Refund Process and User Precautions
IRCTC assures refunds within 2-3 working days after failed booking verification. Travelers experiencing payment but no ticket should immediately check transaction status under “My Transactions” and contact bank support if refunds are delayed. Using stable internet connections, avoiding simultaneous logins, and completing transactions swiftly can help reduce errors.
Tips to Successfully Book Tatkal Tickets
Log in 5-10 minutes before booking opens.
Save passenger details in your IRCTC profile for quick input.
Avoid refreshing pages during booking to prevent session loss.
Use multiple devices or browsers cautiously to improve success chance.
Prefer IRCTC wallet or “Book Now Pay Later” options where available for faster payments.
Despite ongoing upgrades and AI-powered anti-bot systems by IRCTC, travelers must remain vigilant and informed to avoid falling victim to payment scams or technical issues during Tatkal bookings.
