Latest news with #Aadhaar-authenticated
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
How Indian Railways plans to curb fraud with Tatkal booking overhaul
In response to mounting complaints from passengers, the Ministry of Railways is overhauling the Tatkal ticket booking system to enhance speed, fairness, and transparency. Aadhaar verification will be mandatory for all Tatkal bookings starting later this month, aiming to reduce automated scalping and unauthorised access. Tatkal tickets—meant for last-minute travel and released a day before departure—are often bought within seconds by bots or agents, leaving genuine travellers stranded. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that Aadhaar-linked IRCTC accounts will get priority during the first 10 minutes of Tatkal sales. "Even authorised IRCTC agents will not be allowed to book tickets during this window," the Ministry said in a statement. Verified users get priority access Under the new system, Aadhaar-authenticated users will have a clear advantage. Unverified users will need to wait three days post-registration before being allowed to book Tatkal, Premium Tatkal, or Opening ARP tickets. Railway officials indicated that Aadhaar checks may also be extended to counter-based Tatkal bookings to create parity between online and offline platforms. Anti-bot tech and system upgrades To prevent misuse, the Railways has implemented anti-bot measures and partnered with a leading Content Delivery Network (CDN) to improve speed and resilience. Previously, bots accounted for nearly 50 per cent of login attempts during Tatkal hours. But system upgrades and AI-powered monitoring have led to a major drop. Over 25 million suspicious accounts have been deactivated. On May 22, 2025, a record 31,814 Tatkal tickets were booked in just one minute. Daily IRCTC logins rose 20 per cent in FY25 to 8.2 million, while daily bookings grew nearly 12 per cent. Over 86 per cent of reserved tickets are now booked online. Aadhaar at the centre of a secure system Earlier, Aadhaar authentication was handled by third-party systems. A recent Gazette notification now enables faster in-house verification. 'IRCTC will conduct special verification drives and shut down accounts deemed suspicious,' said an official. Even railway staff—including ticket checkers and train crews—are now covered under Aadhaar-based authentication for internal operations. Public outrage spurred reform The changes follow public uproar over IRCTC's booking glitches, sparked by a viral post from Thyrocare founder Dr A Velumani. 'Shocking. If it is true, it is betrayal!!' Velumani posted on X, attaching a screenshot of IRCTC freezing at 10 am during Tatkal bookings. He later suggested hourly load distribution to reduce server stress. His remarks triggered a wave of criticism online, prompting the Railways to fast-track reforms. Offline cancellations now simpler In Parliament, the Railway Minister also said that passengers holding physical tickets can now cancel them online via IRCTC or by calling 139. However, refunds will still be issued at reservation counters. Responding to BJP MP Medha Vishram Kulkarni, Vaishnaw clarified that 'waitlisted PRS counter tickets must be cancelled in person as per refund rules.' Faster platform, safer booking With 87 per cent of IRCTC's static content now served via CDN, system performance has improved. Passengers are encouraged to report online issues through the Cyber Crime Portal. If you've struggled to book Tatkal tickets before, help may be near—just ensure your Aadhaar is linked. In this new regime, identity equals access.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Mandatory e-Aadhaar authentication for Tatkal train tickets: What you need to know
In a significant move aimed at curbing misuse and streamlining ticketing, Indian Railways will soon make e-Aadhaar authentication mandatory for booking Tatkal tickets. The measure, proposed to go live by the end of June 2025, is part of the Centre's broader effort to ensure transparency and fairness in last-minute railway bookings. Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw recently stated that Railways will soon introduce e-Aadhaar authentication for booking Tatkal tickets. He took to social media and shared, 'Bharatiya Railways will soon start using e-Aadhaar authentication to book Tatkal tickets. This will help genuine users get confirmed tickets during need.' The Tatkal scheme, introduced to allow travelers to book emergency tickets at short notice, has long faced criticism due to rampant misuse by touts and automated bots. According to officials, many fraudulent agents bypass booking rules using fake identities or automated software, making it harder for genuine passengers to secure Tatkal tickets. How it works Indian Railways will address this by requiring consumers to utilise Aadhaar-based verification to confirm their identity when purchasing Tatkal tickets. This holds true for reservations made at counters as well as online at the IRCTC. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Every ticket purchase made through the program will be digitally connected to a valid Aadhaar identification once it is put into place. Read more: $1000 to skip the US Visa queue? Donald Trump administration proposes new plan; find out here Benefits for genuine passengers To further prioritize legitimate travelers, the new system includes a provision where account holders who link their IRCTC accounts with Aadhaar will receive priority booking access during the first 10 minutes of the Tatkal ticket sales window. Notably, even authorized IRCTC agents will not be allowed to book tickets during this initial period. During the first 10 minutes of the Tatkal booking window, only Aadhaar-authenticated individual users will be allowed to book tickets. IRCTC-authorised agents, who have often been accused of bulk-booking and resale, will not be permitted to operate during this initial window. Combating fraudulent activities The new regulation comes after a Railways internal audit found widespread misuse. Authorities have revoked over 2.5 crore user IDs over the last six months on suspicion of unfair conduct. Approximately 2 million user accounts are also still being investigated. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who has been spearheading digital reforms in the sector, stated that the e-Aadhaar requirement would enhance transparency, reduce fraudulent bookings, and improve access for genuine passengers. Read more: 10 oldest cities in India and their rich heritage Officials have clarified that this new Aadhaar authentication requirement will be limited to Tatkal tickets and not affect regular ticket bookings at this time. The mandatory e-Aadhaar authentication for Tatkal ticket bookings is a significant step towards creating a more transparent and equitable ticketing system. By implementing this measure, the Indian Railways aim to ensure that genuine passengers have fair access to Tatkal tickets, thereby enhancing the overall travel experience. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
