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IRCTC has launched its new and upgraded website, aiming to make train ticket booking faster and easier. Here is a look at the highlights of the new website and how it will benefit passengers.

Millions of people book tickets online with Indian Railways daily. During festivals and Tatkal booking periods, heavy traffic on the IRCTC website often causes issues for passengers, such as slow speeds, server outages, and difficulties in booking tickets.

To address these problems, IRCTC is launching its new and upgraded website today. The new website aims to facilitate faster ticket booking, provide a better user experience, and handle high traffic volumes without interruptions.

Why was the new IRCTC website introduced?

Online ticket booking has seen a steady rise over the past few years. In particular, millions of users log in simultaneously the moment Tatkal bookings open.

As a result:

The website slows down.
Ticket booking takes longer.
Payments often fail.
Tickets cannot be secured despite seat availability.
The new website aims to significantly mitigate these technical challenges.

Significant boost in ticket booking capacity

The most significant change in the new website is its processing capacity.

This means a large number of users will be able to use the website simultaneously.

Key features of the new website

Seat selection option: Passengers will now be able to choose their preferred seat while booking tickets, making the journey more convenient.

Fare Calendar: The new Fare Calendar feature allows users to view fares for different dates simultaneously, making it easier to select the most affordable travel dates.

Simultaneous seat availability for all classes: Previously, users had to check seat availability separately for Sleeper, 3AC, 2AC, and other classes.

Now, seat availability for all classes can be viewed on a single screen.

Multi-language support: The new website will be available in multiple Indian languages, making it easier for passengers from different states to book tickets.

Mobile-based Authentication: Mobile-based authentication may be introduced for login and identity verification, enhancing both security and convenience.

Integrated Platform for Divyang (differently-abled), Students, and Patients: Travelers in these special categories can expect to access relevant services on a single platform rather than navigating multiple separate processes.

Could CAPTCHA be removed?

The potential removal of CAPTCHA is among the most talked-about changes in the new website.

If this happens:

Ticket booking will be faster.
Extra steps will be eliminated.
Time will be saved during Tatkal bookings.
However, the final arrangement will depend on IRCTC's official system.

How will passengers benefit?

With the launch of the new website:

The likelihood of website crashes will decrease.
Tickets can be booked more quickly.
Tatkal booking may become easier.
Seat availability will be displayed faster.
The website will be more user-friendly.
Using the site in various languages ​​will be easier.

Will there be changes to the mobile app as well?

IRCTC has worked on upgrading its digital systems alongside the website. These new features are likely to be available on the mobile app in the future, though official details regarding this will be released separately.

Will old User IDs and passwords change?

There is currently no official information indicating that old IRCTC accounts will change. It is expected that existing users will be able to log in using their current User IDs and passwords.

What else will change?

Indian Railways is continuously strengthening its digital infrastructure. Following the launch of the new website, future updates may include features such as:

Faster payment processes.
Improved AI-based search.
Smart ticket suggestions.
Enhanced server capacity.