10 July,2026 08:02 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The students reviewed the beta version on 10 July 2026 and shared their feedback before the website`s public launch. Representational Pic/File
Indian Railways is preparing to launch the beta version of its redesigned IRCTC website, with officials from IRCTC and the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) presenting the new platform to students of Malaviya National Institute of Technology (MNIT), Jaipur, an official statement said.
The students reviewed the beta version on 10 July 2026 and shared their feedback before the website's public launch. A few weeks earlier, the same group had highlighted several issues with the existing IRCTC website, prompting the decision to redesign the platform.
According to officials, the beta version introduces several improvements aimed at making online ticket booking quicker and more user-friendly.
The key changes include:
Removal of unnecessary captchas, pop-ups, flashing graphics and other distracting elements.
Seat availability displayed across all travel classes on a single screen.
A faster checkout process with fewer booking steps.
Saved passenger details to make repeat bookings easier.
The improvements are expected to simplify the booking process, especially during periods of high demand.
Officials said the redesigned website is currently being integrated with the Indian Railways Passenger Reservation System, which is also undergoing a major upgrade.
As both systems are being modernised at the same time, the fully functional version of the new IRCTC portal is expected to become available in the coming months.
The Passenger Reservation System, which has been in operation for several decades, is being upgraded while continuing to support daily railway bookings across the country.
Indian Railways also announced that the RailOne mobile application has crossed 4 crore (40 million) downloads, making it the largest railway ticket booking app in the country.
The app offers multiple railway services, including ticket booking and passenger-related facilities, through a single platform.
Officials said Indian Railways has introduced several measures to reduce the use of automated bots during Tatkal ticket bookings.
While acknowledging that there has been some improvement, they said tackling misuse remains an ongoing challenge and that further efforts will continue to make the booking process fairer for genuine passengers.
Railway officials thanked the students of MNIT Jaipur for their suggestions, saying that their feedback played an important role in improving the website's design and user experience before its planned launch.
