Indian Railways Takes Action Against Fraud: 2.4 Crore IRCTC Accounts Terminated

In a significant move to curb fraudulent practices, Indian Railways has terminated around 2.4 crore IRCTC accounts in the last six months. This action, driven by AI technology, primarily targets accounts used for booking Tatkal tickets through bots. With only a fraction of users verified by Aadhaar, the railways emphasizes the importance of verification to avoid account blocking. Users are encouraged to link their Aadhaar to their IRCTC accounts to ensure a smoother booking experience and gain exclusive access to ticket bookings. Discover the steps to link your account and secure your travel plans.
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Indian Railways Takes Action Against Fraud: 2.4 Crore IRCTC Accounts Terminated

Overview of Account Terminations

To combat fraudulent activities, Indian Railways has deactivated approximately 2.4 crore IRCTC accounts over the past six months. This action was prompted by the identification of discrepancies through advanced AI technology, particularly targeting accounts utilized for booking Tatkal and Premium Tatkal tickets via automated bots.


Reasons Behind the Account Closures

With the rise of online tools that facilitate automatic ticket bookings, the railways began monitoring users employing these bots for malicious purposes. This led to genuine passengers facing difficulties in securing their tickets. To address this issue, an AI-driven monitoring system was established to scrutinize irregular accounts, especially those lacking Aadhaar verification.


User Recommendations

Currently, out of 13 crore IRCTC users, only 1.2 crore accounts have completed Aadhaar verification. To avoid account deactivation, users are urged to verify their IRCTC accounts with Aadhaar promptly. Accounts that remain unverified may face blocking, so it is crucial to complete this verification process.


Aadhaar verification is now a requirement for booking Tatkal tickets. Indian Railways has linked Aadhaar verification to the IRCTC system, allowing users with verified accounts to enjoy a 10-minute exclusive booking window, thus minimizing competition from automated bots and unauthorized agents.


Steps to Link Your IRCTC Account with Aadhaar

To link your Aadhaar to your IRCTC account, follow these steps:
1. Visit the IRCTC website.
2. Log in using your username and password.
3. Navigate to the 'My Account' section.
4. Select the 'Link Your Aadhaar' option.
5. Enter your Aadhaar number and name.
6. Input the OTP sent to your registered mobile number.


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