Government Reports 88% Surge in Online Train Ticket Bookings for FY26
Synopsis
In a remarkable development, the Indian government has revealed that online train ticket bookings have soared to 88% in FY 2025-26. With over 48.25 crore tickets booked digitally, this trend showcases the growing reliance on technology for travel convenience.
Key Takeaways
88% of train tickets booked online in FY 2025-26.
Over 48.25 crore tickets booked digitally.
IRCTC's online system simplifies ticketing for passengers.
Measures in place to combat fraud, including Aadhaar authentication.
IRCTC's anti-bot technology blocks 64% of malicious traffic.
New Delhi, March 25 (NationPress) The government announced on Wednesday that there has been a significant increase in online train ticket bookings, with more than 48.25 crore tickets, representing 88 percent of all reserved tickets, booked digitally in the fiscal year 2025-26 up until February.
In response to a question posed in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the growing preference for online ticketing via IRCTC has simplified the ticketing process for travelers, minimizing the necessity to visit ticket counters and decreasing both travel time and expenses.
“The online ticketing service offered by IRCTC stands out as one of the most user-friendly initiatives by Indian Railways, as evidenced by the fact that about 88 percent of reserved tickets are now booked online,” the minister highlighted.
“To support the substantial expenses incurred for maintaining, upgrading, and expanding the online ticketing infrastructure, IRCTC implements a minimal convenience fee,” the minister added.
The digital booking system has emerged as one of the most convenient initiatives for passengers, with a majority of tickets now being booked online.
To promote fair access and prevent fraudulent activities, the government has enacted several measures. Starting from July 1, 2025, Tatkal tickets can only be booked online by users authenticated via Aadhaar.
This measure has significantly reduced the use of fraudulent accounts, enhancing the likelihood of genuine passengers successfully obtaining tickets.
“In 2025, 3.04 crore user accounts were deactivated and 2.94 crore temporarily suspended, with an option for revalidation,” Vaishnaw disclosed.
“However, between January 1, 2025, and February 28, 2026, a total of 1,80,474 user accounts were reactivated,” he further added.
IRCTC has also bolstered its technological infrastructure to combat cyber threats. Its anti-bot technology effectively blocks approximately 64 percent of harmful traffic, thus enhancing the booking experience for legitimate users.
“As of February 28, 2026, we have blocked 13,023 suspicious email domains in the fiscal year 2025-26,” Vaishnaw explained.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of train tickets are booked online?
As of February 2026, approximately 88 percent of total reserved train tickets are booked online.
What measures are taken to prevent fraudulent bookings?
The government has implemented Aadhaar authentication for online Tatkal ticket bookings to limit fraudulent accounts.
How many user accounts were deactivated in 2025?
In 2025, a total of 3.04 crore user accounts were deactivated, with an additional 2.94 crore temporarily suspended.
What technology does IRCTC use to enhance security?
IRCTC employs anti-bot technology that blocks around 64 percent of malicious traffic to protect genuine users.
How many suspicious email domains were blocked by IRCTC?
As of February 2026, IRCTC has blocked 13,023 suspicious email domains to enhance the safety of its online ticketing system.
