Ayush
Indian Railways is taking some important action to tackle the issue of suspicious user IDs, which have become a concern that passengers unable to book tickets.
Fraudsters using automated bots and software to create fake profile IDs and book large numbers of Tatkal tickets within seconds and then resold at inflated prices.
Actions Taken by Indian Railways
Vaishnaw says that his ministry is implementing anti-bot technologies like AKAMAI to filter out fake users and so as to ensure a hassle-free train ticket booking experience for genuine passengers.
Since January 2025, Indian Railways has deactivated about 3.02 crore suspicious user IDs.
Introduction of OTP Verification
OTP for Online Tatkal Bookings
An Aadhaar-based One-Time Password (OTP) system has been introduced for online Tatkal ticket bookings.
Before booking a Tatkal ticket, the user must verify identity using Aadhaar-based OTP.
Only genuine users with valid Aadhaar can proceed.
As of 4 December 2015, the OTP method was implemented for 322 trains. This initiative has reportedly improved the availability of confirmed Tatkal tickets in about 65% of these trains.
OTP for Offline (Counter) Tatkal Bookings
Even at reservation counters, fraudsters used fake identities or multiple agents.
Implementation
- Aadhaar-based OTP verification introduced at counters
- As of December 4, 2025, the OTP system had been implemented for 211 trains at reservation counters.
Complaint Mechanism for Suspicious Bookings
To protect the Railways' systems from cyber threats, the Ministry has set up a procedure for filing complaints on the National Cyber Crime Portal concerning suspiciously booked PNRs.
These systems help to prevent unauthorized access and detect potential threats.
Ensuring safe and efficient delivery of applications.
The ticketing system is hosted in a dedicated data center with controlled access, secured by CCTV surveillance and end-to-end encryption.
Regular Security Audits
Railways conducts regular routine audits by CERT-In empanelled information security agencies.
24x7 Monitoring
Two major bodies keep an eye on the ticketing system:
- CERT-In (India's cyber emergency response team)
- NCIIPC (National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre)
Indian Railways is taking strong initiative to stop ticket fraud and protect genuine passengers. From removing suspicious user IDs to using Aadhaar-based OTP verification and advanced anti-bot technologies, the system is becoming safer, faster, and more transparent. With these initiatives, the aim is to enhance the ticket booking experience for genuine travelers and ensure the integrity of the railway reservation system.
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