IRCTC cracks down on ticketing fraud: 3.03 cr fake IDs blocked

The crackdown has made 3.03 crore IRCTC accounts null and void

In a major clean-up of its online ticketing system, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has deactivated 3.03 crore suspicious user accounts in 2025 and introduced Aadhaar-linked rules for booking Tatkal and Advance Reservation Period (ARP) tickets, aiming to improve availability for genuine passengers.

Under the new norms, only Aadhaar-verified users can book tickets on the day ARP opens and during Tatkal hours - a move targeted at curbing agent-driven bulk bookings and automated bot usage that often-cornered tickets within seconds of release.

"Alongside the crackdown, IRCTC has redesigned its website and Rail Connect mobile app with a simplified interface, faster loading, reorganised menus and removal of login captcha. Train listings are now sorted by departure time and filters allow customised searches," an official said. "To strengthen the system technologically, IRCTC deployed a Content Delivery Network (CDN) and advanced anti-bot tools to block automated booking attempts and reduce server load. Administrative action has also been extensive," he added.

Railway officials say the measures are designed to restore fairness in online reservations, particularly Tatkal bookings, long criticised by passengers for being captured by tout networks.

Statistics to go

3.03 Crore suspicious user IDs deactivated
4.86 Crore user IDs put under re-validation
12,819 suspicious email domains blocked
3.99 lakh suspicious PNRs flagged on National Cyber Crime Portal
376 cyber-crime complaints lodged
- App changes and website upgrades
- Cleaner, faster interface
- Menu navigation simplified
- Login captcha removed
- Form fields rearranged for easier entry
- Train list sorted by departure time
- New show/hide options