IRCTC Blocks Over 2 Crore Accounts – Is Yours Next? Here’s How to Stay Safe
IRCTC Blocks Over 2 Crore Accounts – Is Yours Next? Here's How to Stay Safe
In a major move to restore fairness and transparency in its online ticket booking system, Indian Railways has initiated a large-scale verification drive targeting IRCTC accounts. The new mandate requires users to link their accounts with Aadhaar to avoid the risk of deactivation. This initiative is aimed at curbing widespread misuse of the Tatkal booking system, where bots and automation tools have long given certain users an unfair edge over genuine passengers.
Over the past six months, Indian Railways, with the help of artificial intelligence tools, has blocked or deactivated over 24 million IRCTC accounts suspected of being involved in unethical booking practices. Another two million accounts have been flagged for suspicious activity and are under review based on Aadhaar and other identity documents. This massive clean-up operation marks one of the largest anti-fraud efforts ever undertaken by the Railways’ digital division.
Bharatiya Railways will soon start using e-Aadhaar authentication to book Tatkal tickets.
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) June 4, 2025
This will help genuine users get confirmed tickets during need.
Currently, there are over 130 million active IRCTC users, yet only about 12 million of these accounts are Aadhaar-verified. The remaining unverified accounts are now subject to special scrutiny. Any account found inauthentic or operating outside established norms could be blocked permanently. The core aim is to ensure that legitimate passengers get equal and fair access to time-sensitive services like Tatkal and Premium Tatkal ticketing.
To support this initiative, Indian Railways has introduced a significant change in its booking policy. Aadhaar-verified users will now receive priority during the first ten minutes of Tatkal ticket bookings. This limited-time window, where the majority of Tatkal tickets are sold, will not be accessible to even authorized IRCTC agents. Therefore, Aadhaar verification has become essential for users who want a fair shot at securing last-minute travel reservations.
The move is also part of a broader plan to tighten the security and efficiency of the Tatkal ticketing system. Indian Railways plans to implement Aadhaar-based OTP authentication for both online and counter-based bookings. These efforts are being supported by AI-driven tools capable of detecting bot activity and blocking accounts attempting to exploit the system through automated means.
Speaking on the matter, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that Indian Railways will soon roll out e-Aadhaar authentication for Tatkal bookings. He emphasized that this step would help ensure that confirmed tickets reach actual travelers, especially during urgent or emergency travel needs.
Data from IRCTC’s recent analysis reveals just how competitive Tatkal bookings have become. Between May 24 and June 2, an average of 118,567 non-AC Tatkal tickets were booked online daily. Of these, around 4 percent were booked within the first minute, and 17.5 percent in the second minute. In total, 66.4 percent of all bookings were made within the first ten minutes of the window opening, and 84.02 percent within the first hour. The remaining 12 percent of tickets were booked over the next 10 hours, proving that while early access is critical, availability still extends beyond the initial rush.
In the AC category, an average of 108,000 Tatkal tickets were made available daily during the same period. However, only about 5,615 were successfully booked in the very first minute. The second minute saw approximately 22,827 bookings, while 62.5 percent of total AC tickets were booked in the first ten minutes. By the end of the first hour, 86 percent of all available AC Tatkal tickets were already booked. Notably, around 3.01 percent were still booked as late as ten hours after the window had opened.
These booking patterns illustrate just how vital speed and access are in the Tatkal system. With bots often dominating the earliest moments of availability, genuine users are frequently left behind. This new verification mandate is designed to flip that script—giving real passengers a better chance through identity-based prioritization.
To avoid losing access to your IRCTC account, users are strongly urged to complete Aadhaar verification at the earliest. The process involves logging into your IRCTC account, linking your Aadhaar number, and completing the OTP-based authentication. Accounts that remain unverified or are flagged for suspicious activity could face temporary suspension or permanent closure, depending on the outcome of the review process.
The broader goal of Indian Railways is clear: create a secure and equal environment where travelers are not disadvantaged by technological manipulations. As digital travel systems evolve, measures like Aadhaar verification are not just about compliance—they are about fairness. For regular passengers relying on IRCTC, this is a crucial moment. Taking a few minutes to verify your account can ensure uninterrupted access to essential services and help build a cleaner, more transparent travel booking system for everyone.
