IRCTC Update 2025: In middle of the year 2025, updated railways of India told parliament that a body named Indian Railway catering and Tourism Corporation had deactivated about 2.5 crores users accounts (later described in reports as nearing 3 million) to prevent abuse and ensure fairness in online train ticketing systems.
The Clear-out Trigger
Suspicious Booking Patterns by Agents and Bots-IRCTC officials stated that it has used data analytics. Which made it identify accounts with irregular booking behavior. In fact, this activity has mostly been tied to unauthorised agents or automated scripts using disposable email IDs. This finishes Tatkal tickets before genuine users had a chance.
For a short period (January-May) in 2025 alone, it created nearly 2.9 lakh suspicious PNRs. Just in the first few minutes after opening its gates for Tatkal-the most valuable booking time period.
Tehnology Driven Detection
Cracking down involved an entirely multi-faceted AI-based detection system against bots and a CDN infrastructure to identify and deactivate fraudulent accounts in real-time. During the busy Tatkal booking periods, 50% of the login attempts were made by bots.
Blocking Disposable Email Domains and Cybercrime Follow Up-Accounts affected by this process generally used temporary or throwaway email domains.
Toward this end, authorities blocked well above 6800 such domains and about 134 complaints were lodged. With the national cybercrime portal toward strengthening of the enforcement.
The Impact of Deactivation Campaign-User Registrations Normalised:
Post-crackdown, daily new account creations dipped from around 60,000-65,000 to 10,000-12,000. Leading to a major reduction in strain on the platform and enabling much smoother booking experiences.
Tatkal Window Reforms: An Aadhaar authentication must be used with any bookings on the IRCTC platform after 1 July 2025. Agents cannot book on the first thirty minutes after Tatkal opens to prevent bookings being manipulated.
Important reasons for claiming it.
This drastic action was motivated by a commitment from the IRCTC to ticket booking. This is for fair and transparent travel by genuine customers. By closing fake and bot-based accounts.
If your IRCTC account was deactivated without your knowledge and you are seeking the restoration of your account, perhaps due to Aadhaar-linking, stop sharing passwords or booking for others.
ALSO READ: IRCTC App vs Website: Which Is Better for Booking Tickets?
Some of the genuine accounts have been restored after reporting to IRCTC emailing it through its official email support (complete with Aadhaar and ID proof).
The official IRCTC portal or app should always be used to book; do not go to unverified third-party platforms promising premium services or guaranteed tickets.
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