Indian Railways Revamps IRCTC with AI and Anti-Bot Tech: In a major digital leap aimed at curbing misuse and making the ticket booking experience more seamless for genuine passengers, Indian Railways has completed a sweeping overhaul of its online ticketing system through the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). The railway ministry on Wednesday announced the successful implementation of new technologies that target unauthorized access and significantly improve platform performance—especially during high-demand periods like Tatkal bookings.
At the heart of this modernization effort lies the introduction of advanced anti-bot technology and the integration of a leading Content Delivery Network (CDN). These upgrades have transformed how the IRCTC portal handles traffic surges and protects against automated attacks that previously disrupted the ticketing process.
Tatkal Window Now Protected from Bots
Tatkal bookings, infamous for being targeted by unscrupulous agents using bots, have now become much more secure. During the crucial five-minute window when Tatkal booking opens, bot traffic earlier accounted for nearly 50% of login attempts. But thanks to the newly deployed anti-bot infrastructure, IRCTC now successfully neutralizes bot activity during this window, ensuring that legitimate users can access the system without facing unfair competition.
In a significant milestone, Indian Railways recently recorded its highest-ever per-minute booking figure—31,814 tickets on May 22, highlighting the enhanced capacity and efficiency of the updated system.
Cleaning Up the Platform: 2.5 Crore Fake IDs Deactivated
As part of the digital revamp, authorities also undertook a massive clean-up operation to rid the platform of fraudulent accounts. Over 2.5 crore suspicious user IDs have been deactivated, demonstrating Indian Railways’ commitment to fairness, transparency, and cybersecurity.
What’s New: Systemic Upgrades and Features
Here’s a breakdown of some key enhancements:
- CDN Integration: 87% of static content is now delivered via a CDN, resulting in significantly faster load times and lower server stress.
- AI-Powered Monitoring: Artificial intelligence now plays a pivotal role in detecting and mitigating suspicious behavior and bot activity in real-time.
- Cyber Crime Reporting: Users can now directly route complaints regarding unauthorized activity to the Cyber Crime Portal.
- User Verification Protocols:
- Aadhaar-verified users can start booking tickets immediately after registration.
- Non-Aadhaar users must wait three days post-registration to access ARP, Tatkal, and Premium Tatkal bookings—helping filter out fraudulent users early.
Real Impact: Numbers That Tell the Story
The changes are already yielding tangible results:
- Average daily user logins jumped from 69.08 lakh in FY 2023–24 to 82.57 lakh in FY 2024–25, reflecting a 19.53% increase.
- Daily ticket bookings grew by 11.85% over the same period, indicating stronger trust and better usability among passengers.
A Step Towards Fair and Transparent Rail Travel
This overhaul isn’t just about tech upgrades—it’s about restoring fairness to a system that millions rely on every day. For years, genuine users have voiced concerns about bots, slow loading times, and opaque booking practices. With these new reforms, Indian Railways is sending a clear message: the system is evolving to serve its users better, and misuse will no longer be tolerated.
As Indian Railways continues to digitally transform its vast infrastructure, this IRCTC overhaul stands as a blueprint for how public digital services can blend innovation with integrity to improve citizen experiences.
