Someone has written what I have always thought, "IRCTC ki sight main kuch KALA hai. Big and powerful people are behind the SLOW and Unavailable internet connection from 8 AM to 8:30 AM.
Someone has written a good comment, "In Howrah Station the same story is going on. I saw one of my Co-Passenger Ticket while I am travelling, I asked him how did you get a ticket from Tatkal which is impossible? He smiled and showed me the ticket. I saw and totally surprised, the booking time was 8:01 AM. How is it possible I asked, he replied I have a agent at Howrah station he book my ticket regularly. This is the common issue if you book ticket through IRCTC site. When Tatkal opens at 8:00 AM, you will find these messages in screen "Service is not available" if site will open calender will not load,if Availablity page will open the seat status will not load, if booking form will open then CAPTCHA security image will not display and last but not the least if you go to bank payment gateway then bank site will not open, if open then your money will be deducted but your ticket will not book. After 15-30 minutes when all the ticket sold out the site will work at normal speed and you are allowed to book the Waiting List tickets. This is a regular issue. You can try this at Home."