Yes, actually it's very tough. There are two incidents I remember (out of 11-12) when I got LBs, once March 2020 in 18181 (running upto Chhapra). 2 seats and both LB in 2A

Once, recently in June 2023. In 02832 BBS DHN Special (Sleeper). This was bound as there were plenty LBs available and I had taken ticket when it was in WL.

---

Here we are discussing about 1A whose seats are manually feeded before Charting.
2A, 3A you can get good seats if you book in advance or the Seat Quota is intact.
Cases are different.

---

In many cases getting LB is impossible. Moreover, in 2020 I got LB during holi which is itself a luck by chance

---

In 2A, 3A I get LB only.

---

Yes, 1A travel is now advisable only for passion/hobby and that too for select pair of Rajdhani trains where catering is of some good old standards(Two Mumbai Raj pairs included).
Or else for those with the case reflected by that most of the class occupants.i.e. senior citizens unable to board flights, govt servants travelling on TA/LTC/company sponsorship or close by intermediate station travelers.
And this Raj now doesn't belongs in that elite club of Raj pair

---