Over 3.39 Crore Indians Lost Train Journeys in FY26 As Waitlists, Tatkal Rush and Bots Overwhelm Railways

India’s railway booking system is coming under growing pressure as demand for affordable travel continues to outpace available seats. Fresh RTI data has revealed that more than 3.39 crore passengers were unable to travel in FY 2025-26 because their waitlisted tickets never got confirmed before departure.

The figures underline a worsening crisis for millions of passengers who depend on Indian Railways for long-distance travel. From migrant workers and students to families travelling during festivals, securing a confirmed ticket has become increasingly difficult across major routes.

According to the data, nearly 92,877 passengers every day lost travel opportunities due to unconfirmed tickets during FY26. That works out to almost 64 passengers every minute.

Train Ticket Shortage Is Growing Every Year

The waitlist problem has steadily intensified over the last five years. The number of passengers unable to travel due to unconfirmed tickets rose from 1.65 crore in FY22 to 3.39 crore in FY26.

The biggest impact has been on Sleeper Class and 3AC passengers, highlighting how middle- and lower-income travellers are bearing the brunt of capacity shortages.

Passengers on several busy routes now report that reservation windows open directly into waitlist status, especially during holidays, festivals, and summer travel periods.

Tatkal System Facing Massive Pressure

Tatkal bookings, originally introduced for emergency travel, have now become the default option for many passengers hoping to secure confirmed berths.

However, passengers frequently face website crashes, payment failures, and instant waitlisting during peak booking hours. Concerns over automated bots and ticket resellers have further intensified frustration among travellers.

The Railway Ministry recently disclosed that Indian Railways blocked more than 60 billion suspicious bot requests between July and December 2025 alone, highlighting the scale of misuse on the booking system.

Overcrowding Remains A Major Concern

The shortage of confirmed seats has also contributed to severe overcrowding in reserved coaches, especially during peak travel seasons. Many waitlisted passengers continue boarding trains due to lack of alternatives.

Indian Railways has introduced measures such as Aadhaar-based OTP verification, anti-bot systems, restrictions on agents, and caps on waitlisted tickets to improve fairness and reduce misuse.

Conclusion

India’s train ticketing crisis reflects a deeper infrastructure challenge as rising passenger demand continues to exceed railway capacity. While Indian Railways is tightening booking rules and deploying technology to reduce misuse, the growing number of waitlisted passengers highlights the urgent need for larger capacity expansion and more efficient passenger management systems.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation or investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions. 

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks. Read all related documents carefully before investing.