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12 September 2026

IRCTC crackdown on booking fraud

This topic serves as a practical case study for e-governance, digital security, and infrastructure management in the public sector, providing useful context for answers on service delivery and cyber security.

1 min read 1 questions 1 prelims

Notes

  • IRCTC has deactivated 3.04 crore user IDs and suspended 6.33 crore IDs due to suspected booking fraud.
  • Modus operandi involves touts creating fake IDs for bulk bookings to resell tickets at inflated prices.
  • IRCTC has blocked 16,041 suspicious email domains and registered 592 complaints on the Cyber Crime Portal.
  • Over 4.21 lakh suspicious PNR numbers have been identified.
  • Authorized ticketing agents are prohibited from booking Advanced Reservation Period (ARP) tickets between 8:00 a.m. and 8:10 a.m.
  • From October 12, 2025, only Aadhaar-authenticated users are permitted to book tickets during the opening ARP window.
  • IRCTC is implementing anti-BOT and content delivery network (CDN) technologies to secure the ticketing platform.

Questions

  1. Discuss the challenges posed by digital touting in public service delivery systems and the role of technological interventions in ensuring equitable access to state-managed infrastructure. 150 words
    Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min
    0 / 150 words 8:00

Prelims

  1. Which of the following measures has been implemented by the IRCTC to curb fraudulent bulk bookings during the Advanced Reservation Period (ARP)?

Syllabus

Topics

Sources

250words.in · https://250words.in/daily/2026-09-12/irctc-crackdown-on-booking-fraud