IRCTC Blocks 3.03 Crore Fake IDs in a Crackdown on Fraudulent Ticket Booking

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has rolled out a sweeping overhaul of its online ticketing ecosystem, aiming to make rail bookings faster, fairer and more secure for genuine passengers.

In one of its largest clean-up exercises, IRCTC deleted 3.03 crore suspicious user IDs in 2025 as part of a broader crackdown on fake accounts, automated bots and fraudulent booking practices that have long plagued Tatkal and Advance Reservation Period (ARP) ticket sales.

What Actions Has IRCTC Taken So Far? 

IRCTC said it has introduced new technical and administrative safeguards to prevent unauthorised access and automated bookings.

Key actions taken in 2025 include:

• Deletion of 3,03,00,000 suspicious user IDs
• Blocking of 12,819 suspicious email domains
• Initiating new verification processes for 4,86,00,000 user accounts

The move is aimed at ensuring that tickets (especially high-demand Tatkal and ARP tickets) are accessible to genuine passengers rather than being cornered by bots and fake accounts.

What Has Changed for Passengers?

IRCTC has revamped both its website (www.irctc.co.in) and the Rail Connect mobile app to improve user experience and system performance. Key improvements include: 

• Faster and cleaner interface
• Simplified menu navigation
• Reorganised booking form fields for smoother data entry
• Removal of Captcha requirement at login
• Train listings now sorted by scheduled departure time
• “Show/Hide Filter” option for customised search

The redesign aims to reduce booking friction and speed up transactions during peak demand windows.

Stronger Anti-BOT And Cyber Security Measures

IRCTC has significantly strengthened its digital defence infrastructure through:

• Advanced Anti-BOT technology to block automated booking systems
• Deployment of a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to reduce server load
• Continuous monitoring and blocking of malicious traffic

The corporation also referred 3,99,000 suspicious PNRs to the National Cyber Crime Portal for investigation and examined 376 reports of fraudulent activities.

These measures are expected to enhance system stability and reduce last-minute booking disruptions.

Read more: Government Targets ₹80,000 Crore from Rail PSU Stake Sale by FY30.

Conclusion

IRCTC’s large-scale digital cleanup signals a determined push toward a more secure and equitable ticketing environment. With crores of fake accounts eliminated and stricter verification norms in place, the platform is positioning itself as a more reliable and transparent gateway for millions of rail passengers across India.

The real test, however, will be whether these measures consistently translate into smoother bookings and improved seat access during peak demand periods.

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