Indian Railways is one of the most convenient and accessible forms of travel in the country. Passengers can enjoy the scenic views of the lush green fields majestic mountains and bustling towns as the train crosses the route. The calls of vendors and hawkers each with their own distinct tone and style can be heard as they walk through the compartments selling a variety of knick-knacks. However buying railway tickets can seldom become a tiring process especially when you are buying a Tatkal ticket.  Tatkal quotas open just one day before the train’s departure and although seats are limited a well-timed booking can help you secure one. With no changes in IRCTC’s booking timings for 2025 here’s a step-by-step guide to help you quickly grab your Tatkal seat. At first visit the official website of the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation. One can even download the IRCTC application on the desired Android or iOS device. Log in using your existing IRCTC credentials or create a new account with a verified mobile number and email ID. To avoid last-minute login issues make sure to log in at least 10–15 minutes before the Tatkal booking window opens. Once the user has logged in enter your source and destination stations along with your journey date. Be sure to select the “Tatkal” option from the quota dropdown—this filters your search results to display only the available Tatkal seats. After entering your journey details browse through the list of available trains and pick one that offers Tatkal seats in your preferred travel class. Click “Book Now” to proceed and enter the passenger information—name of the person age gender and a valid ID proof such as Aadhaar PAN or driving license. Remember you can book tickets for up to four passengers per PNR under the Tatkal quota. Once youve entered all the passenger details proceed to the payment page. You now have five minutes (up from the earlier three) to complete the transaction. Choose your preferred payment method—UPI credit/debit card or net banking. To avoid timeouts ensure your payment option is ready and functioning smoothly before you begin. Tatkal bookings open one day prior to the journey date (excluding the day of travel) at 10:00 AM for AC classes and 11:00 AM for non-AC classes. The Tatkal charges are 10% of the basic fare for second class and 30% for all other classes subject to predefined upper and lower limits. This facility is available for all travel classes except First AC. Confirmed Tatkal tickets are non-refundable. However if a Tatkal ticket remains waitlisted or is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances a partial refund may be provided as per Indian Railways rules. To avoid fraud or fake bookings always use the official IRCTC website or app. The Tatkal scheme allows bookings for up to four passengers per PNR with additional charges applicable.