A LocalCircles survey of over 90,000 IRCTC users across 324 districts has identified six categories of dark patterns on the railway ticketing platform. According to the survey, 70% of users experienced forced action, while 46% reported nagging and 45% experienced basket sneaking. The findings were mapped against the 13 dark patterns notified by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA). The most prominent finding concerned forced action, where users reported being logged out without apparent reason during the booking process. 42% of respondents said this happened very frequently, while 28% said it occurred sometimes. For passengers trying to complete time-sensitive reservations, being logged out can mean restarting the process and potentially losing a seat.
The most prominent finding concerned forced action, where users reported being logged out without apparent reason during the booking process. 42% of respondents said this happened very frequently, while 28% said it occurred sometimes. For passengers trying to complete time-sensitive reservations, being logged out can mean restarting the process and potentially losing a seat. The survey also flagged hidden charges with 43% of users experiencing drip pricing and 31% reporting interface interference. 43% of respondents said they had experienced hidden charges other than taxes during IRCTC bookings or cancellations, while 31% reported interface interference, where the screen they were using was interrupted, and another product or service was presented for purchase.
Two other patterns were reported by substantial shares of respondents: nagging with 46% experiencing repeated prompts for app downloads, personal details sharing, or notification enablement. Basket sneaking affected 45% of users, where additional items such as insurance, donations, or paid services were automatically added during booking without explicit consent. The survey also identified bait and switch practices affecting 38% of users, where booked tickets, trains, or seats differed from originally requested options. Together, the six patterns identified by LocalCircles are: - Basket sneaking – 45% - Bait and switch – 38% - Interface interference – 31% - Hidden charges – 43% - Nagging – 46% - Forced action – 70%
The findings come shortly after IRCTC launched a revamped website on July 15, 2026. According to the report, the new platform increased stated booking capacity and enquiry handling capacity, while adding features such as a fare calendar, seat preference selection, Indian language support, and a cleaner interface. However, LocalCircles argues that improving technical performance and addressing dark patterns are separate issues, pointing to design choices involving charges, add-ons, prompts, and the booking interface.
The survey findings will be submitted to the Ministry of Railways, IRCTC, and the CCPA. Among LocalCircles' recommendations are an independent third-party dark-pattern audit of the IRCTC website and app, defaulting add-ons such as travel insurance to 'No', and displaying the full payable amount upfront while removing advertising interruptions during the booking journey. The survey findings point to design choices involving charges, add-ons, prompts and the booking interface that can influence or disrupt consumer choices during the booking process.
