Between January and May 2025, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) identified and deactivated around 2.5 crore suspicious user accounts linked to automated booking abuse. The action followed detection of 2.9 lakh suspicious PNRs created within five minutes of Tatkal and advance reservation windows opening—strong indicators of coordinated bot activity
AI & Anti-Bot Tools Transform Ticketing Integrity
IRCTC deployed advanced AI-based anti-bot systems, supported by a content delivery network (CDN), to detect and block automated booking traffic—which previously composed up to 50% of early-minute logins. Over 6,800 disposable email domains were blocked, and about 20 lakh additional IDs were flagged for revalidation via mobile/email verification. Suspicious users were also reported to the national cybercrime portal.
Booking Fairness Restored with New Protocols
These technology-driven measures have enabled IRCTC to process its highest-ever booking rate—31,814 tickets in one minute on May 22, 2025—while smoothing user experience and system load
At the same time, average daily logins rose from 69 lakh to 82.57 lakh year-on-year, and daily ticket bookings grew by 11.85%—signaling increased trust among genuine users. IRCTC also introduced new restrictions: Aadhaar-authenticated users can book Tatkal immediately; non‑Aadhaar users must wait three days after registration. Additionally, agents face booking restrictions during the first critical minutes of Tatkal windows.
Why This Crackdown Matters
- The crackdown addresses longstanding passenger concerns over tickets vanishing within seconds of booking windows opening—a practice largely driven by bots and agents hoarding inventory
- These steps mark a major digital overhaul by IRCTC, blending AI detection, bot protection, Aadhaar-linked authentication, and policy design to ensure equitable access
Summary Table
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Fake IDs Deactivated | ~2.5 crore |
| Suspicious PNRs Detected | ~2.9 lakh |
| Disposable Email Domains Blocked | ~6,800 |
| Daily Logins FY24–25 | 69 lakh → 82.57 lakh (+19.5%) |
| Daily Ticket Bookings Growth | +11.85% |
| Peak Booking Rate | 31,814 tickets/min (May 22, 2025) |
Final Note
By eliminating millions of fraudulent accounts and unleashing a suite of AI-driven controls and Aadhaar-linked access rules, IRCTC has taken a decisive step toward making ticket booking fairer and more accessible for genuine travelers. These reforms also signal a commitment to clean, scalable, and inclusive digital infrastructure.
