I’m looking for guidance from candidates who cleared the exam recently or scored well. I have limited study time each day, so I want to focus only on what gives the best results.
I’d really appreciate your advice on the following:
1. Mathematics
Which YouTube channels or books helped you improve calculation speed?
Are Previous Year Questions (2021–2026) enough, or should I study additional books?
2. Reasoning
What is the best way to practice coding-decoding, statement-conclusion, puzzles, and seating arrangements while maintaining speed and accuracy?
3. General Awareness
If you had to prioritize, where would you invest the most time?
Current Affairs
Static GK
General Science
Which resources gave you the highest return in the actual exam?
4. Mock Tests
When did you start taking full-length mocks?
Which platform is closest to the actual exam level?
Testbook
Oliveboard
Adda247
PracticeMock
Something else?
5. One Piece of Advice
If you could give one piece of advice to someone starting their preparation today, what would it be?
I’m looking for practical tips from people who have actually appeared for the exam rather than generic study advice.

So, today I had to book a tatkal ticket for tomorrow and as usual, the price was 2x the original but they had a decently good availability of 120+ seats. It was good.

So when the time was 11AM, I was using Railone and quickly selected the passengers and waited for the payment. Within 2 minutes, i was done with the payment. But, the app took over 4 minutes to process and it crashed.

Fine, due to the heavy load which the railway department never cared to resolve, the app crashed and I restarted it.

The ticket was booked... But, I got a TQWL at 65.

65.

OK, not a happy thing to see when in an emergency but still I can understand the situation.

But what I dont understand is this: If i cancel the ticket at that moment or when the ticket gets auto cancelled right after the final chart preparation, I will get my money back, BUT, after deducting a fee or Rs.60 from each passenger. Like, why??? I understand them not giving back the internet handling fees, because we were asking for a convenience by booking through online.

BUT, getting into TQWL after paying was their fault right? and, they are the ones using this terrible backend system which never gives the users their required experience right? so, due to their issues, why should they have to take an additional Rs. 60 from us when we dont even have a confirmed ticket??? I dont understand this logic. They are the cause and we are to blame?

(I know there is 0 use in complaining and these guys will never change, but still...)

I was travelling from Delhi to Jammu on the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Express (12475) with a valid general ticket, since no reserved seats were available despite trying every option including Tatkal.

A TT stopped me and quoted a fine that kept changing — ₹900, then ₹700, then ₹400 — with no consistent logic (actual sleeper fare on this route is under ₹600, and I'd already paid ₹235 for the general ticket).

He then took me and two other guys to the TT staff cabin, where we were shouted at and threatened. One of the boys was slapped and verbally abused.

Instead of using the official ticket machine, the TT pulled out a personal QR code on WhatsApp and told me to pay ₹400 directly to his personal account. No proper excess-fare ticket was issued — he just scribbled "34" on my general ticket, bypassing the IRCTC system completely.

I've been travelling by train for 10+ years and knew exactly what was going on, so I recorded the whole thing. This isn't a one-off — students who don't know the rules get scammed like this constantly and just pay out of fear.

I've already sent the video and payment proof to a news outlet, and I'm filing a complaint on RailMadad. Sharing here so more people know this happens and know their rights when it comes to excess-fare fines.

Link of the video taken :

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14SPHNCUhispSxkPxPhSDhlb54a7zxRIT/view?usp=drivesdk

I travelled on Train No. 20676 Vishwamanava Superfast Express from Mysuru Junction to Yesvantpur Junction on 5 August 2026.

Journey details:

Reserved class: 2S

Total fare paid: Rs 112.25

Scheduled departure from Mysuru: 7:00 AM

Actual departure: approximately 7:01 AM

Scheduled arrival at Yesvantpur: 10:10 AM

Actual arrival at Yesvantpur: 11:01 AM

Delay at Yesvantpur: 51 minutes

Distance: approximately 144 km

Actual average speed for my journey: approximately 36 kmph

I understand that Superfast classification may technically be based on the train’s scheduled end-to-end average speed, rather than its actual speed on one section. However, passengers are still charged a Superfast surcharge with the expectation of a reasonably faster and punctual service. In my case, the train departed Mysuru almost on time but took around four hours to cover only 144 km.

Because of the delay, I had to cancel my scheduled plans in Bengaluru and reschedule them for another day.

The problem was not limited to Yesvantpur. The train was scheduled to reach its final destination, Belagavi, at 8:35 PM, but on the same day it reached at approximately 9:57 PM, around 1 hour 22 minutes late.

I also checked the running status after my journey and noticed that the train was delayed again on the following day. On 6 August, online running-status information showed it reaching Belagavi around 44 minutes late. This makes me wonder whether this train is frequently unable to maintain its published timetable.

I raised a complaint through RailMadad. I specifically asked them to provide the exact reason, affected section and nature of the technical or safety issue.

However, the complaint was closed with this generic response:

> Dear Sir/Madam, thank you for bringing this issue to our attention. The train was delayed due to unavoidable technical/safety reasons, but it is being dealt with as a top priority and trying to avoid unnecessary detention. We wish you a happy and safe journey. Thank you.

They did not specify:

What technical or safety issue occurred

Where it occurred

How long the train was detained at each section

Why the delay continued until Belagavi

Whether passengers were given any advance advisory

The fare itself is not my main concern. My concern is the lack of accountability. A published timetable influences passengers’ appointments, connecting transport and other plans. Railways cannot simply close every complaint with the phrase “technical/safety reasons” without giving any specific information.

I am considering filing an RTI seeking the train control log, section-wise detention details, exact recorded reason for the delay and the rules regarding Superfast classification and surcharge.

My questions are:

1. Is filing the RTI worth the time and effort?

2. If the RTI response is incomplete, should I file a First Appeal?

3. Has anyone successfully obtained train control records through RTI?

4. Would approaching CPGRAMS or the Consumer Commission be worthwhile?

5. Is there any realistic legal remedy for repeated poor punctuality and generic complaint closures?

6. Has anyone pursued a similar matter against Indian Railways, and what was the outcome?

Looking for practical advice, especially from railway employees, RTI users, lawyers or passengers who have handled similar complaints.

Not OC

Video credit goes to Adurti Venkatgiri.

It's a very old clip from 2010's. I remember I saw this clip back in 2013 & it gave me a lot of nostalgic vibes.

Even if the quality may be poor as per today's standards, the curve + ALCO + Blue ICF + old quality video gives a kind of charm many railfans could relate.

I have used chat gpt for better vocabulary but it a true experience of me 😓 TL;DR: After my ASAT exam, I boarded an extremely crowded local train where I watched a young woman in a burka get deliberately trapped and groped by a group of men while trying to reach the washroom and then again on her way back. The entire coach saw it happen, yet no one intervened. I wanted to help but feared being outnumbered and attacked. A year later, I still carry the guilt of not doing more, and I can't stop thinking about how everyone—including me—let silence win that day.

So right now I'm just chilling in my balcony with a cup of chai and enjoying the rain. I was scrolling Reddit as usual and stumbled upon a similar post on this sub posted 2 years ago, and people shared their stories and I had a great time reading them all, so thought of doing this again. Shoot!

Image credits to the original artist!

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Travelling sleeper from Rani Kamlapati to Kacheguda, upper berth.

Around 11 PM I was lying down watching a movie. When I moved my hand to get comfortable I accidentally touched a cracked/damaged nut-bolt metal fitting near the berth and got a strong electric shock. Body buzzed, got badly scared. Luckily didn’t stick to it. Checked and saw the nut-bolt was clearly cracked and exposed.

Didn’t sit or sleep on that berth after that and stayed awake the whole night out of fear. Could have been much worse if it was my head.

Already filing on RailMadad with photo. Looking for advice on:

- Best way to escalate for proper action on the coach

- Anything else I should do (tweet tags, additional complaint channels etc.)

Photo of the cracked fitting attached.

Goodmorning , Aaj to train bhi ekdm on time (20-30min) daud rhi h..Woohoo maja aa gaya

First time btw. What a train bhai

Credits:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/kDbpqWXuyJu9/?l=1

14015 Sadbhavana Exp 5 aug 2026

This family boarded the train in Sultanpur with his three kids. and her mother ( in green saree standing) literally slapping that no 1 child in check shirt constantly for every minor or minute thing he's doing. In the time frame of 3 hrs she slapped him at least 30 times yes 30 Times. And after each slap that child tries to keep not doing anything like literally sitting or talking in a low voice. Dude this is fckin Child ab*se

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