The IRCTC website and app experienced a major outage on October 17, 2025, just as Diwali and Chhath Puja travel bookings peaked across India. The disruption began during the crucial Tatkal booking hours, leaving thousands of users unable to reserve train tickets online for the holiday season. According to reports, users were greeted with error messages like “Service Unavailable” as the server struggled with an overwhelming number of service requests due to heavy traffic surge.
Cause of the Outage
IRCTC officials confirmed the issue was a technical glitch triggered by unusually high traffic volume during Tatkal ticket bookings. This timing coincided with Dhanteras and the start of the festive season, which typically sees a sharp rise in booking activity, routinely testing the platform’s limits.
User Impact and Reactions
Frustrated users reported their inability to log in or book tickets from as early as 9 am IST, with more than 5,000 complaints logged via outage trackers like Downdetector. Many travelers, seeking urgent bookings, voiced concerns on social media, criticizing IRCTC’s digital infrastructure for repeatedly failing during high-demand periods. Several affected passengers were advised to try booking at physical counters, authorized agents, or wait for the platform to be restored.
Official Response and Alternatives
IRCTC representatives stated that technical teams were actively working to restore normal service and recommended travelers check for official updates or use alternate ticketing methods while repairs were underway. The episode highlights the need for more robust online infrastructure to manage India’s massive festival travel rush.
For now, travelers should stay alert to official IRCTC announcements and explore offline booking until the technical issues are resolved.
About the Author
