Latest news with #AlternateTrainAccommodationScheme
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Business Standard
26-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
IRCTC blocks over 25 million user IDs. Here's what led to the move
This follows data analysis that flagged suspicious activity; Aadhaar now mandatory for Tatkal bookings Apexa Rai New Delhi The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has deactivated more than 25 million user IDs to tackle misuse and irregularities in the ticket booking process. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw made this revelation during a Rajya Sabha session on July 25. Responding to a query raised by Member of Parliament AD Singh, the minister said the decision was made after extensive analysis revealed that these user accounts had suspicious credentials. 'To curb malpractices in the ticket booking system, IRCTC has recently deactivated over 2.5 crore user IDs,' Vaishnaw said. Why were so many IDs deactivated? According to the Vaishnaw, IRCTC used data-driven analysis to identify accounts that were likely being used to manipulate or exploit the booking system, often by unauthorised agents or bots to hoard tickets unfairly. This move aims to enhance transparency and ensure that genuine passengers can access tickets more easily and fairly. New rules for Tatkal bookings To further improve fairness in the ticketing process, Indian Railways has rolled out several new measures: From July 1, 2025, Tatkal tickets can only be booked via the IRCTC website or mobile app by users who have verified their identity through Aadhaar. Agents are restricted from booking Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes after reservations open each day. Digital payment options are now available even at railway reservation counters, making the system more inclusive and user-friendly. Boosting transparency and access. About 89 per cent of train tickets are now booked online, signalling a massive shift towards digital adoption. Special trains and additional coaches are introduced based on real-time demand monitoring, especially when waiting lists grow too long. Schemes like VIKALP (Alternate Train Accommodation Scheme) and an upgradation system are in place to help waitlisted passengers get confirmed seats and maximise usage of available train capacity. These reforms reflect Indian Railways' broader push to modernise and make train travel more seamless for everyday passengers. With the deactivation of suspicious accounts and Aadhaar-linked bookings, the goal is to ensure that the system works for genuine users—reducing exploitation and making confirmed tickets more accessible to all.
Hindustan Times
25-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Around 89 per cent of train tickets being booked online: Rail Minister
New Delhi, Prospective train passengers can book reserved tickets either online or through computerised Passenger Reservation System counters, and around 89 per cent of tickets are being booked online, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw apprised the Rajya Sabha in a written reply on Friday. Around 89 per cent of train tickets being booked online: Rail Minister He responded to questions regarding recent initiatives related to digital reservations and deactivation of crores of dubious User IDs by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation "With a view to curb malpractices in the ticket booking system, IRCTC has recently deactivated over 2.5 crore user IDs, as their credentials were found to be suspicious during extensive data point analysis," the Railway Minister said. He added, "On Indian Railways, the demand pattern of reserved accommodation is not uniform throughout the year, and it varies over lean and peak periods. The trains running on popular routes and convenient timings are generally well patronised. However, in other trains, accommodation is generally available." Vaishnaw presented various steps taken by the Ministry to improve passenger access to confirmed tickets, ensure transparency and proliferate digital modes. "Reserved tickets can be booked either online or across computerised Passenger Reservation System counters on a first cum, first-served basis. Presently, around 89 per cent of total tickets are being booked through online mode," Vaishnaw said. "At PRS counters, the facility of making payments through digital modes has been provided. With effect from 01-07-2025, tickets under the Tatkal Scheme can be booked through the website of the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation /its app only by Aadhaar-authenticated users," he said. He said that agents are barred from booking opening-day Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of the opening of Tatkal reservations. Vaishnaw stated that the waiting list position of the trains is monitored on a regular basis, and in order to cater to additional demand, Indian Railways operates special train services and augments the load of trains to generate additional accommodation, subject to operational feasibility. "Further, schemes like Alternate Train Accommodation Scheme , known as VIKALP and Up-gradation scheme have been introduced to provide confirmed accommodation to waitlisted passengers and also to ensure optimal utilisation of available accommodation," he added. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Time of India
25-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Indian Railways has deactivated 2.5 crore IRCTC user IDs: Has yours also been deactivated? Check now
Academy Empower your mind, elevate your skills Reserved tickets can be booked either online or across computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters on first cum first served basis. Presently, around 89% of total tickets are being booked through online mode. At PRS counters, the facility of making payments through digital modes has been provided. With effect from 01-07-2025, tickets under tatkal scheme can be booked through the website of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC)/its app only by Aadhaar authenticated users. Agents are barred from booking opening day tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of opening of Tatkal reservation. Waiting list position of the trains is monitored on a regular basis and in order to cater to additional demand, Indian Railways operates Special train services and augments the load of trains to generate additional accommodation, subject to operational feasibility. Further, schemes like Alternate Train Accommodation Scheme (ATAS) known as VIKALP and up-gradation scheme have been introduced to provide confirmed accommodation to waitlisted passengers and also to ensure optimal utilization of available accommodation. The government also outlined a series of new reforms, including mandatory Aadhaar authentication for tatkal bookings, a ban on agent access during peak hours, and more transparent digital payment systems at PRS counters. Indian Railways has deactivated over 2.5 crore Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation ( IRCTC ) user IDs as part of efforts to curb misuse in the online ticket booking system . The deactivation was done after noticing suspicious booking patterns and user behavior identified through advanced data analytics. With many concerns about tickets vanishing within minutes of booking and rising misuse by agents and bots. This was confirmed in a written reply to Parliament following questions raised by Member of Parliament A. D. of Parliament A. D. Sigh raised several questions on deactivation of user IDs, tickets vanishing with minutes and measures taken by the Wealth Online breaks down the government's official response to four key questions from the rationale behind deactivating accounts to the digital upgrades being implemented to stop ticketing fraud.(a) Whether it is a fact that Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has recently deactivated over 2.5 crore User IDs, if so, the reasons behind such large-scale deactivation;(b) Whether government is planning a digital overhaul of the railway reservation system to curb misuse, if so, the details thereof;(c) Whether it is also a fact that tickets for many trains vanish within minutes of the opening of reservation window; and(d) The measures being taken to ensure transparency, prevent misuse, and improve passenger access to confirmed tickets?The government in Parliament replied to the aforementioned questions: With a view to curb malpractices in the ticket booking system, IRCTC has recently deactivated over 2.5 crore user ids, as their credentials were found to be suspicious during extensive data point analysis. On Indian Railways, the demand pattern of reserved accommodation is not uniform throughout the year and it varies over lean and peak periods. The trains running on popular routes and convenient timings are generally well patronized, however, in other trains, accommodation is generally available. To improve passenger access to confirmed tickets, to ensure transparency and to proliferate digital modes, the following steps have been taken by Indian Railways:-
