Railways Closed 2.5 Crore IRCTC User IDs as booking fraud crackdown intensifies; petrol‐diesel prices remain unchanged today
Yesterday, a major development occurred in the railway sector. Indian Railways has shut down over 25 million IRCTC user accounts. This action is aimed at curbing irregularities within the online ticket booking system.
In another update, the forthcoming IPO of India’s largest depository, NSDL, is anticipated to generate substantial profits for its investors. Institutional stakeholders such as SBI, IDBI Bank, NSE, HDFC Bank, and others are expected to see returns as high as 39,900% on their initial investments.

Before the major news from yesterday, here are today’s headlines to keep an eye on…
The stock exchange will not be open today because of the holiday on Sunday.
There has been no alteration in the costs of petrol and diesel.
Now let’s revisit yesterday’s significant news…
Indian Railways has blocked 2.5 crore counterfeit IRCTC profiles to curb ticket fraud: Mass bookings with fake identities were hindering genuine users from securing confirmed tickets.
Indian Railways has shut down over 25 million IRCTC user accounts. This action was taken to curb irregularities in the online ticket reservation system.
The government confirmed this in response to inquiries posed by MP AD Singh in Parliament. The government indicated that sophisticated data analysis showed that the booking habits and behaviors of these users were alike, suggesting they were not regular customers.

MP Singh asked multiple questions regarding the swift disappearance of tickets during the booking process, the deactivation of user accounts, and the measures implemented by the railways.
Indian Railways has terminated over 25 million IRCTC user accounts. This action has been implemented by the railways to curb irregularities in the online ticket reservation system.
The government verified this in reply to inquiries made by MP AD Singh in Parliament. The officials mentioned that advanced data analysis showed that the booking patterns and behaviors of these users were alike, suggesting that they were not frequent users.
MP Singh posed various questions concerning the swift disappearance of tickets during the booking process, the deactivation of user accounts, and the measures taken by the railways.
Plan for Enhancing Digital Features in the Railway Reservation System
The railway has launched multiple digital enhancements to boost transparency in ticket purchasing and combat fraud. These enhancements include:
Aadhaar Verification: Starting July 1, 2025, only users verified through Aadhaar will be able to book Tatkal tickets via the IRCTC website or application.
Restrictions on Agents: Agents are prohibited from booking tickets during the first 30 minutes when Tatkal booking begins.
Digital Transactions: The option for digital payments has been introduced at the railway’s Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters.
Tickets Disappear Quickly
The government has recognized that tickets for certain popular routes and at desirable times sell out within minutes once booking opens. Nevertheless, tickets are typically available on less frequented trains. The railway operates special trains and increases the seating capacity of trains in response to demand.
Measures for Transparency and Ticket Availability
The railway has implemented various initiatives to guarantee confirmed tickets for travelers and enhance system transparency –
Online Reservations: At present, 89% of tickets are being purchased online, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Vikalp Initiative: Through the Alternative Train Accommodation Scheme (VIKALP) and the Upgradation Scheme, efforts are made to secure confirmed tickets for passengers on the waiting list.
Special Services: The railway operates special services and adds extra coaches to current trains according to demand.
What is the Railway’s Aim?
The railway’s goal is to create a ticket booking system that is more transparent, secure, and user-friendly. By implementing measures such as Aadhaar-based verification, encouraging digital payments, and tightening oversight of agents’ practices, the railway seeks to ensure that regular passengers can obtain tickets easily and reduce fraud.
This initiative will not only curtail irregularities in ticket reservations but also enhance railway services through the adoption of digital technology. The railway has urged passengers to utilize the official IRCTC platform and be cautious of dubious activities.