CURRENT AFFAIRS
CURRENT AFFAIRS
Description
In a landmark move, Indian Railways has introduced a series of reforms aimed at overhauling its reservation system, placing passenger comfort, efficiency, and digital transformation at the forefront. These changes, to be implemented gradually, are designed to make the booking process more transparent, accessible, and technologically advanced.
A New Era In Railway Reservations
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, while assessing the progress of these reforms, stressed the importance of providing a “smart, transparent, accessible, and efficient” experience to travellers. He emphasized that the objective is to ensure a hassle-free journey from the moment of booking to the time of travel.
These reforms are part of Indian Railways’ vision to build a digital, inclusive, and citizen-friendly transport ecosystem.
Waitlisted Ticket Charting Time Revised For Better Clarity
The Current Challenge: Uncertainty for Waitlisted Passengers
Currently, final reservation charts are prepared only four hours prior to a train’s departure. This often causes last-minute confusion for passengers, especially those commuting from remote areas who don’t know if their waitlisted tickets will be confirmed in time.
The New Rule: Charting 8 Hours Before Departure
To improve planning and reduce stress, the Railway Board has decided to modify the charting process:
For trains departing after 2 PM, the reservation chart will be prepared 8 hours in advance.
For trains leaving before 2 PM, the chart will be finalized by 9 PM on the previous day.
This change has been approved and will be rolled out in a phased manner to ensure seamless adoption across zones.
Benefits for Passengers
Early visibility on the status of waitlisted tickets
More time for alternative arrangements if the ticket remains unconfirmed
Easier planning for passengers traveling long distances to reach boarding stations
Improved travel confidence and reduced last-minute anxiety
Modern Passenger Reservation System (PRS) Launch By December 2025
As part of its digital transformation agenda, Indian Railways is revamping its Passenger Reservation System (PRS) with the help of the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS). The upgraded PRS will bring significant technological improvements to enhance user experience and booking capacity.
Key Features of the Upcoming PRS
Massive Booking Capacity: Will support over 1.5 lakh tickets per minute, a 5x boost from the current 32,000.
Higher Enquiry Load: Able to handle 40 lakh enquiries per minute, up from 4 lakh currently.
Multilingual Interface: Booking and enquiry in multiple Indian languages for greater accessibility.
Seat Selection Option: Passengers can choose preferred seats from the seat map.
Fare Calendar Tool: Enables comparison of ticket prices across dates for better trip planning.
Integrated Services for Special Categories: Tailored support for Divyangjan, students, patients, and others.
This next-generation PRS will address congestion during peak booking hours, such as Tatkal windows and festival rush, enhancing the reliability and fairness of the ticketing process.
Tatkal Ticket Bookings Limited To Verified Users From July 1, 2025
To curb misuse and bring more fairness into the system, Indian Railways has announced that Tatkal bookings will only be allowed for users with verified identities.
Authentication Process
Users must complete an OTP-based verification.
Acceptable IDs include Aadhaar and other government-issued documents stored in DigiLocker.
Verification is mandatory before booking any Tatkal ticket on the IRCTC portal or mobile app.
Expected Impact
Reduced manipulation of Tatkal quota by ticketing agents and automated bots
Transparent and fair access for genuine users
Streamlined booking for emergency and last-minute travellers
Multilingual Support For Booking And Enquiries
To further democratize access, the new reservation system will feature support in multiple Indian languages. This will benefit passengers across India, especially those in rural and semi-urban regions, by allowing them to book and inquire in their native languages.
Toward a Digitally Empowered Railway Experience
These reforms signal a transformative shift in how Indian Railways interacts with its passengers. By integrating advanced technology, real-time updates, multilingual support, and identity verification, the Ministry aims to create a more inclusive, efficient, and secure reservation system. As these changes roll out, millions of train passengers across India can expect greater convenience, reduced uncertainty, and a smarter travel experience.
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