IRCTC’s online booking platform experienced temporary downtime earlier today, disrupting ticket reservations for thousands of travelers during the crucial Diwali and Chhath Puja festival season.
Key Takeaways
- IRCTC faced server issues during peak Tatkal booking hours
- Over 5,000 users reported problems on Downdetector
- Service has since been restored and is operational
What Caused the IRCTC Outage?
The technical disruption occurred as thousands of users attempted to book Tatkal tickets for Diwali and Chhath Puja travel. The IRCTC website displayed error messages indicating the server was temporarily unable to handle service requests due to high traffic volume.
Website monitoring platform Downdetector recorded more than 5,000 problem reports from users experiencing ticket booking difficulties during the outage period.
User Reactions on Social Media
Frustrated passengers took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their concerns about the recurring technical issues during festival seasons:
“Once again, @IRCTCofficial website and app are down exactly during Tatkal booking hours ! This happens every time before festivals. Please improve your server capacity,” one user wrote on X.
“Diwali season so goated that IRCTC serves are down now,” wrote a second.
“What the hell irctc down on peak hours holiday season are you joking,” said a third.
The platform has since been restored to normal operation, allowing users to continue with their ticket bookings for the upcoming festival travel period.



