New Delhi: The share of online railway ticket bookings in India has witnessed a significant surge, with nearly 88% of reserved tickets booked digitally during FY 2025–26 (up to February 2026), reflecting growing passenger preference for convenience and time-saving services.
According to information provided by Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw in the Lok Sabha, a total of 48.25 crore tickets were booked online, compared to 6.15 crore tickets booked through reservation counters during the same period.
Digital Shift Driven by Convenience
The online ticketing platform operated by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation has significantly reduced the need for passengers to visit physical reservation counters, saving both travel time and associated costs. To sustain and enhance this infrastructure, IRCTC levies a nominal convenience fee for online bookings.
Crackdown on Fake Accounts and Malicious Activity
In a major effort to ensure fair access and transparency in ticket booking, IRCTC has intensified its actions against fraudulent practices:
- 3.04 crore user accounts deactivated in 2025 due to fake or suspicious credentials
- 2.94 crore accounts temporarily suspended with an option for revalidation
- 1,80,474 accounts reactivated between January 2025 and February 2026 after verification
- 13,023 suspicious email domains blocked
- 408 cybercrime complaints filed related to 4.07 lakh suspicious PNRs
IRCTC uses advanced parameters such as unrealistic mobile numbers, disposable email domains, sequential or gibberish usernames, and suspicious IP patterns to identify fraudulent accounts.
Aadhaar Authentication Enhances Transparency
To further curb misuse, Indian Railways introduced Aadhaar-based authentication measures:
- Since July 1, 2025, Tatkal tickets can only be booked by Aadhaar-authenticated users via IRCTC platforms
- On the opening day of Advance Reservation Period (ARP), general ticket bookings are also restricted to Aadhaar-verified users
This move ensures user uniqueness and prevents multiple bookings through fake or agent-controlled accounts, thereby improving ticket availability for genuine passengers.
Advanced Technology to Combat Bots
IRCTC has deployed multiple technological interventions to enhance booking efficiency and security:
- Implementation of a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to reduce server load
- Deployment of Anti-BOT technology, which mitigates approximately 64% of malicious traffic
- Continuous monitoring of booking patterns using data analytics
These measures help eliminate ticket scalping networks and improve system performance during peak booking periods.
Continuous Monitoring and User Support
IRCTC maintains a robust grievance redressal mechanism, allowing users to request account reactivation through registered email IDs and mobile numbers. Verified genuine accounts are restored after detailed analysis.
The government emphasized that no account has been deactivated solely due to non-linking of Aadhaar, ensuring that genuine users are not adversely affected.
Conclusion
The sharp rise in online ticket bookings highlights the success of Indian Railways’ digital initiatives. With stringent anti-fraud mechanisms, Aadhaar-based authentication, and advanced technological safeguards, IRCTC continues to enhance transparency, fairness, and convenience in railway ticketing for millions of passengers.
