Open
Medium Priority
RC-2026-000011
IRCTC tatkal tickets booked by agents using illegal software
Amit Joshi
Filed March 18, 2026
Complaint Against
IRCTCEvery time I try to book tatkal tickets on IRCTC at 10 AM sharp, the tickets are sold out within seconds. This is because unauthorized agents are using automated software/bots to book tatkal tickets and then selling them at premium prices.
I have tried booking tatkal tickets on 8 different occasions in the last 2 months and could not get a single confirmed ticket. The same trains show available seats until 9:59 AM but are sold out by 10:00:05 AM.
I reported this to IRCTC but they say they have 'captcha protection.' The captcha is clearly not working against these bots. Meanwhile, I see the same tickets being sold on unauthorized platforms at 2-3x the price.
IRCTC needs to implement better bot protection and take action against these illegal agents.
I have tried booking tatkal tickets on 8 different occasions in the last 2 months and could not get a single confirmed ticket. The same trains show available seats until 9:59 AM but are sold out by 10:00:05 AM.
I reported this to IRCTC but they say they have 'captcha protection.' The captcha is clearly not working against these bots. Meanwhile, I see the same tickets being sold on unauthorized platforms at 2-3x the price.
IRCTC needs to implement better bot protection and take action against these illegal agents.
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