New Delhi, March 25: The central government announced on Wednesday that online ticket bookings have seen a significant increase, with digital reservations accounting for 88% of total bookings in the country for the fiscal year 2025-26 (from April to February).
In a written response to a question in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the growing trend of online bookings through IRCTC has reduced the need for passengers to visit reservation counters, thereby making ticket acquisition easier and cutting down on travel time and costs.
The minister remarked, “The online ticket booking facility provided by IRCTC is one of the most passenger-friendly initiatives of Indian Railways, as evidenced by the fact that currently, nearly 88% of reserved tickets are booked online.”
He further explained that IRCTC incurs significant expenses to provide this online ticketing service, charging a minimal convenience fee to cover the costs of maintaining, upgrading, and expanding the ticketing infrastructure.
The online system has become one of the most user-friendly initiatives of Indian Railways, leading to a majority of tickets being booked digitally.
To ensure fair access and prevent misuse, the government has implemented several measures to curb fraudulent activities. Starting July 1, 2025, instant tickets will only be available for booking by users verified through Aadhaar.
This initiative aims to limit the use of fake accounts and increase the likelihood of genuine passengers securing tickets. Vaishnaw noted that during 2025, 3.04 crore user accounts were deactivated, and 2.94 crore accounts were temporarily suspended, with an option for reactivation.
He added, “However, from January 1, 2025, to February 28, 2026, a total of 1,80,474 user accounts have been reactivated.”
IRCTC has also strengthened its technical systems to combat cyber threats. Its anti-bot technology is capable of blocking approximately 64% of malicious traffic, enhancing the booking experience for genuine users.
Vaishnaw reported that as of February 28, 2026, 13,023 suspicious email domains have been blocked during the fiscal year 2025-26.
My name is Himanshu Tiwari. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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