Indian Railways Upgrades Ticket Booking System: 25,000 Tickets Per Minute, Says Ashwini Vaishnav

In a significant boost for railway passengers, Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnav has announced that the Indian Railways ticket booking system has been upgraded to handle an impressive 25,000 tickets per minute. This development, shared during a recent Lok Sabha session on August 20, 2025, underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing passenger convenience through technological advancements. With the introduction of the Rail One app and a Rs. 182 crore overhaul of the ticketing infrastructure, Indian Railways is poised to revolutionize the train ticket booking experience, making it faster, more efficient, and accessible for millions of travelers across the country.

Ashwini Vaishnav’s Announcement in Lok Sabha

Responding to queries in the Lok Sabha about steps taken to improve the Indian Railways ticket booking system, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav highlighted that the current Passenger Reservation System (PRS) can now process up to 25,000 tickets per minute, a significant milestone in railway operations. He emphasized that improving the efficiency and technology of the ticketing system is an ongoing process, with continuous efforts to address the growing demands of passengers. The minister’s statement reflects the proactive measures being undertaken to ensure seamless access to train tickets, especially during peak travel seasons like festivals and holidays.

Vaishnav further elaborated that Indian Railways is investing Rs. 182 crore to comprehensively upgrade the ticketing infrastructure. This includes enhancements to hardware, software, network systems, and security frameworks, all designed to support new technologies and handle increased booking volumes. The goal is to achieve a capacity four times higher than the current system, enabling over 100,000 tickets per minute by December 2025, significantly reducing wait times and server crashes during high-demand periods.

Introduction of the Rail One App

A key highlight of the ticketing system upgrade is the launch of the Rail One app, a user-friendly platform developed by the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS). Launched on July 1, 2025, the app allows passengers to book both reserved and unreserved train tickets directly from their mobile phones, bringing the convenience of the Indian Railways ticket booking system to their fingertips. The app integrates multiple services, including PNR status checks, live train tracking, grievance redressal, e-catering, porter booking, and last-mile taxi services, making it a comprehensive tool for railway passengers.

The Rail One app features a single sign-on system with mPIN or biometric authentication, supporting existing RailConnect and UTS credentials. It also includes R-Wallet functionality, offering a 3% discount on unreserved and platform tickets. By consolidating all passenger services into one platform, the app eliminates the need for multiple railway apps, saving device storage and simplifying the user experience. This initiative aligns with Indian Railways’ vision to bring its vast network under a single digital roof, enhancing accessibility and convenience for millions of travelers.

Technological Upgrades and Future Capacity

The current PRS, operational since 2010, relies on outdated Itanium servers and an Open VMS platform. The ongoing Rs. 182 crore upgrade aims to transition the system to cloud-compatible technology, ensuring scalability and agility. By December 2025, the modernized PRS is expected to handle 150,000 ticket bookings per minute, a fivefold increase from the current 25,000, and process over 4 million inquiries per minute, up from 400,000. These enhancements will significantly improve the Indian Railways ticket booking system’s ability to manage high traffic, particularly during peak travel periods.

The upgraded system will feature a multilingual, user-friendly interface, allowing passengers to select preferred seats, view fare calendars, and access special options for divyangjan (persons with disabilities), students, and patients. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) has already increased confirmed ticket rates by 30%, with AI models analyzing seat availability and optimizing allocations. Additionally, the system will reduce clerical charges for ticket cancellations, enhancing refund fairness for passengers with waitlisted or unconfirmed tickets.

Impact on Passengers and Railway Operations

The improvements to the Indian Railways ticket booking system are set to transform the travel experience for millions of passengers, with an estimated 7.57 billion passengers expected in FY26. The enhanced capacity will minimize booking delays, reduce server crashes, and ensure greater ticket availability, particularly for Tatkal and emergency bookings. The introduction of Aadhaar-linked authentication for Tatkal bookings, effective from July 1, 2025, has already curbed misuse by agents, ensuring genuine passengers have better access to tickets.

The Rail One app and upgraded PRS also support Indian Railways’ broader modernization efforts, including the operation of Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat trains, track electrification, and station redevelopment. These initiatives reflect the government’s focus on improving passenger comfort and operational efficiency, positioning Indian Railways as a global leader in railway services. The financial health of Indian Railways, with a reported revenue of Rs. 2,78,000 crore in FY24, further supports these ambitious upgrades.

How Passengers Can Benefit

Passengers can immediately benefit from the upgraded Indian Railways ticket booking system by downloading the Rail One app, available on Android and iOS platforms. The app’s intuitive interface and integrated services make it easier to book tickets, check train statuses, and access additional amenities. For those booking online, the system’s increased capacity ensures faster processing, while offline options, such as ticket counters and post offices in Uttar Pradesh, continue to provide alternatives for rural passengers.

To make the most of the upgraded system, passengers are advised to plan their travel early, especially for long-distance journeys, and use Aadhaar-verified accounts for Tatkal bookings to avoid delays. The enhanced inquiry capacity also allows real-time access to seat availability, helping passengers make informed decisions. As Indian Railways continues its technological transformation, travelers can look forward to a smoother, more reliable booking experience.

This landmark upgrade to the Indian Railways ticket booking system, backed by Minister Ashwini Vaishnav’s vision, marks a new era of convenience and efficiency for passengers. Stay updated on further developments as Indian Railways continues to modernize its services to meet the needs of millions of travelers nationwide.