Is GapSeat Official, Legal and Safe?

Short answer: GapSeat is not an official IRCTC or Indian Railways app. It is an independent app, and it is legal and safe to use. It reads the reservation chart that Indian Railways publishes, it needs no IRCTC login or payment, and it never books, sells or transfers tickets.

Is GapSeat an official IRCTC app?

No. GapSeat is built by an independent developer (about GapSeat) and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or paid by IRCTC, Indian Railways or CRIS. The only official places to book tickets are IRCTC, the RailOne app and railway reservation counters.

Is it legal to use GapSeat?

Yes. GapSeat shows chart information that Indian Railways already makes public after chart preparation; IRCTC shows vacant berths on its own chart page too. GapSeat organises that information by coach and station pair. It does not buy, sell or book tickets for anyone, which is the activity Section 143 of the Railways Act, 1989 restricts.

What railway rules do control is travel: you need a valid ticket, and a vacant berth is yours only after you book it or the TTE allots it to you. GapSeat shows where to ask; it doesn't give permission to sit.

Is GapSeat safe? What data does it use?

• No IRCTC login. GapSeat never asks for your IRCTC user ID, password or OTP.
• No payments. The app is free and takes no card, UPI or wallet details.
• No other passengers' details. It works with berth and station data, not with other passengers' bookings.
• Few permissions. On Android it asks for internet, notifications (for alerts) and location (for live features such as the speedometer). You can refuse location and still check chart vacancy.
• Ads and analytics. The free app shows Google AdMob ads and uses Firebase and Google Analytics to fix crashes and improve features. The privacy policy lists everything collected.

How accurate is GapSeat?

A result is only as fresh as the chart it was read from. Berths can be allotted or booked after you check, so treat a result as a lead, not a guarantee, and confirm with the TTE or the official booking system. How GapSeat chart data works explains what a result does and doesn't mean.

Can I book a ticket through GapSeat?

No. GapSeat helps you find a berth that looks free. Book it through IRCTC current booking or a reservation counter, or ask the TTE on board to allot it against your ticket.

Who do I contact with a concern?

Email support@gapseat.in. For refunds, PNR status or ticket problems, contact IRCTC or Indian Railways directly; GapSeat can't change railway bookings.