Indian Railways has taken a major leap in modernising and securing its reservation ecosystem. With increasing online bookings and rising cyber threats, the Railways has rolled out advanced security upgrades to ensure fair, transparent, and secure ticket booking for millions of passengers.
According to a detailed update released by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) on 11 December 2025, confirmed Tatkal ticket availability has significantly improved in 95% of 96 popular trains—a huge relief for daily travellers.
Let’s dive into the full report.
Table of contents
Key Highlights: Indian Railways Strengthens Ticket Reservation System
1. 3.02 Crore Suspicious IRCTC User IDs Deactivated
Railways has conducted a large-scale cleanup of the IRCTC database.
Since January 2025, over 3.02 crore suspicious user IDs were flagged and removed.
This step ensures:
- No misuse by tout networks
- Fair slot access for genuine passengers
- Reduced overload during Tatkal hours
2. Anti-Bot Technology (Akamai) to Block Fake Users
Bots earlier used to grab Tatkal tickets within seconds. Not anymore.
Indian Railways has deployed Akamai anti-bot solutions, which:
- Detect automated scripts
- Block fake traffic
- Ensure smooth access for real passengers
This was one of the biggest pain points for users — and it’s finally getting fixed.
3. Aadhaar-Based OTP Verification for Online Tatkal Booking
To curb malpractice, Aadhaar-linked OTP checks are now mandatory in 322 trains (as of 04 Dec 2025).
This move alone improved confirmed Tatkal ticket availability in 65% of these trains.
4. Aadhaar OTP at Railway Reservation Counters
Offline Tatkal booking also gets the same security treatment.
- Implemented in 211 trains
- Ensures uniform verification across online + offline bookings
This step significantly reduces impersonation and agent misuse.
5. Big Win: Confirmed Tatkal Availability Improves in 95% Trains
As per PIB, all the above reforms collectively boosted Tatkal seat availability in:
- 95% of 96 popular trains monitored for performance
- A major milestone in fair ticket distribution
This is one of the most impactful improvements in the ticketing system in recent years.
6. Cyber Crime Complaints Filed for Suspicious PNRs
The Railways is taking strict action by filing complaints on the National Cyber Crime Portal for any suspiciously booked tickets.
7. Multi-Layered Cyber Security Framework Implemented
The IRCTC ticketing ecosystem is now protected by:
- Network firewalls
- Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS)
- Application Delivery Controllers
- Web Application Firewalls
- End-to-end encryption
- CCTV-secured data centres
- Hosting under ISO 27001-certified Data Centre
This is the same level of protection used in major financial institutions.
8. Continuous Monitoring by CERT-In & NCIIPC
To protect the national railway infrastructure from cyber attacks:
- CERT-In monitors internet traffic round the clock
- NCIIPC secures the critical information infrastructure
- Regular audits are carried out through empanelled agencies
This ensures the system is always up-to-date against emerging threats.
RailTel’s Role: Deep & Dark Web Surveillance
RailTel provides additional layers of cyber protection through:
- Digital risk monitoring
- Dark web surveillance
- Threat intelligence
- Take-down services for harmful content
This ensures any cyber threat is detected before it hits the live system.
Why This Upgrade Matters for Passengers
The improvements help you with:
- Higher chances of getting Tatkal tickets
- Faster, fairer booking
- Reduced fraud
- Secure transactions
- A much cleaner booking environment
Simply put — the system is now built for passengers, not bots.
FAQs
1. What was the main reason behind deactivating 3.02 crore IRCTC accounts?
These accounts were suspicious or involved in misuse, bot activity, or unauthorised Tatkal ticketing. Removing them helps keep the system fair.
2. What is Aadhaar OTP verification for Tatkal booking?
Passengers must verify their identity via Aadhaar OTP before booking. This prevents fraud and ensures only real travellers book seats.
3. Did the update actually improve Tatkal booking success?
Yes. According to Indian railways, confirmed Tatkal availability improved in 95% of popular trains.
4. What role does RailTel play in railway cyber security?
RailTel monitors cyber threats, conducts dark web surveillance, and provides risk intelligence to Indian Railways.
5. Is this a permanent cyber security upgrade?
Yes, these measures are now part of the long-term cyber security framework of Indian Railways.
Conclusion
With these sweeping upgrades, Indian Railways strengthens its ticket reservation system to match global cybersecurity standards. For crores of passengers, this means smoother, safer, and more transparent ticket booking — especially during Tatkal hours.
Source
Press Information Bureau (PIB), Government of India
Lok Sabha reply by Union Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw – 11 December 2025