In a major step toward securing and streamlining its online ticketing system, Indian Railways has deactivated 3.02 crore fake or suspicious user IDs created for fraudulent bookings. The move, implemented since January 2025, aims to curb black marketing and eliminate ticketing middlemen.
According to the Ministry of Railways, this digital cleanup has significantly reduced bot-driven ticket hoarding and fake reservations, ensuring genuine passengers get better access to Tatkal tickets without agent interference.
Anti-Bot System to Protect Tatkal Ticket Bookings
To tackle the rampant misuse of automated scripts and bots, Railways has introduced a state-of-the-art anti-bot system for Tatkal ticket bookings.
The system ensures that only verified human users can book tickets, blocking automated programs that used to capture Tatkal seats within seconds. It uses real-time user authentication and CAPTCHA verification, preventing any unauthorized or automated access.
Officials said this has led to a noticeable improvement in booking transparency and increased availability of tickets for genuine passengers.
Aadhaar-Based OTP Verification Made Mandatory
Indian Railways has also made Aadhaar-based OTP verification mandatory for online Tatkal bookings in 322 trains, while the same system has been extended to 211 trains at reservation counters.
Under this rule, passengers receive a One-Time Password (OTP) on their Aadhaar-linked mobile number during ticket booking to confirm their identity.
Officials stated that this step will help eliminate duplicate bookings and fake accounts, making the process more secure and reliable.
Passengers Now Have a Better Chance to Get Tatkal Tickets
The Railway Ministry said that following these reforms, passengers now have up to a 95% better chance of securing a Tatkal ticket. Data from 96 popular trains shows a marked improvement in ticket availability.
Previously, Tatkal tickets used to sell out within seconds of the booking window opening. Now, with the anti-bot safeguards, the booking window stays open longer, giving passengers a fairer opportunity to book confirmed tickets directly through IRCTC.
Officials emphasized that the goal is to make the system completely user-friendly, transparent, and secure, removing any possibility of agent manipulation or technical exploitation.
Permanent Check on Black Marketing and Ticket Scams
According to senior officials, touts and agents previously used fake IDs and automated scripts to hoard tickets and sell them at inflated prices. With the anti-bot and ID verification systems, such activities have been nearly eliminated.
The Railways is now working on integrating AI-powered tracking tools and behaviour analytics to detect suspicious booking patterns in real time, further tightening the security net.
Railways officials said the initiative marks only the beginning of a broader digital reform. In the next phase, full-proof digital audit trails will be introduced for booking, cancellation, and refund processes.
The ministry aims to build a 100% transparent and fraud-resistant ticketing system, where no user or agent can exploit loopholes.
Railways has urged passengers to book tickets only through the official IRCTC website or mobile app and avoid relying on unauthorized agents or third-party platforms.
