IRCTC Cracks Down: 3.03 Crore Fake Profiles Blocked, Aadhaar Now Key for Tatkal Booking
New Delhi / Bengaluru: The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Railways, has undertaken a major overhaul of its online ticketing system in 2025, combining technological upgrades with strict anti-fraud measures to safeguard genuine railway passengers.
As part of a nationwide clean-up drive, IRCTC deactivated 3.03 crore suspicious user IDs during the year. Additionally, 4.86 crore user accounts were placed under revalidation, 3.99 lakh suspicious Passenger Name Records (PNRs) were reported on the National Cyber Crime Portal, and 12,819 suspicious email domains were blocked.
The reforms aim to curb misuse of the online booking system, particularly in Tatkal and Advance Reservation Period (ARP) ticket bookings, where genuine passengers often face challenges due to automated or fraudulent bookings.
Aadhaar Verification Mandatory
To strengthen transparency and prevent misuse, IRCTC has now mandated Aadhaar verification for booking Tatkal tickets and for booking tickets on the opening day of the Advance Reservation Period. Only Aadhaar-verified users will be permitted to access these bookings.
Website & App Upgrades
As part of its digital transformation initiative, IRCTC has introduced a lean and responsive user interface on its website (www.irctc.co.in) and the IRCTC Rail Connect mobile application. Key improvements include:
• A cleaner, faster-loading interface with enhanced responsiveness
• Intuitive menu realignment for smoother navigation
• Simplified form fields for easier ticket booking
• Removal of Captcha from the login screen for quicker access
• Train listings now sorted by “Departure Time”
• Introduction of a “Show/Hide Filter” option for customized search
Advanced Anti-Bot & CDN Deployment
To further enhance system reliability, IRCTC has implemented a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to optimize server load and improve response time. Advanced Anti-BOT technology has also been deployed to detect and block automated suspicious activities, ensuring fair ticket access.
Railway officials described the measures as a significant step toward improving transparency, strengthening cybersecurity safeguards, and ensuring equitable access to Tatkal and ARP tickets.
The reforms are being widely seen as a decisive move to protect genuine passengers and restore trust in the railway ticket booking ecosystem.
ಇದನ್ನೂ ಓದಿ: IRCTC ಕಠಿಣ ಕ್ರಮ: 3.03 ಕೋಟಿ ನಕಲಿ ಖಾತೆಗಳು ಬ್ಲಾಕ್, ತತ್ಕಾಲ್ಗೆ ಆಧಾರ್ ಕಡ್ಡಾಯ
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