Indian Railways has introduced an important rule change for passengers booking tickets through IRCTC. Under the new guideline, completing a specific mandatory verification step has become essential. Failure to do so may result in the closure or suspension of the IRCTC account.
Why Indian Railways Introduced This Rule
The decision was taken to prevent misuse of IRCTC accounts, curb ticket black marketing, and stop fake or duplicate user profiles. With millions of users booking tickets daily, Railways aims to ensure fair access and system security.
Mandatory Verification Now Required
Passengers must complete identity and account verification to continue booking tickets. Accounts that remain unverified or inactive for long periods may be flagged and eventually closed as per the updated rules.
Impact on Existing IRCTC Users
Existing users who created accounts earlier are also required to comply with the new verification requirement. Simply having an old account is no longer sufficient to book tickets unless the required update is completed.
What Happens If You Ignore This Rule
If the mandatory step is not completed, the IRCTC account may be restricted. Users may be unable to log in, book tickets, or access booking history. In prolonged non-compliance cases, the account can be permanently closed.
Reason Behind Account Closures
IRCTC has identified several unused, duplicate, and suspicious accounts. Closing such accounts helps reduce system load, prevent misuse of Tatkal tickets, and improve booking success for genuine passengers.
Effect on Tatkal and General Ticket Booking
Users who fail to complete verification may be blocked from booking both general and Tatkal tickets. Verified users will get smoother access during peak booking hours.
How This Rule Benefits Passengers
The new rule ensures better availability of tickets, fewer booking failures, and improved fairness. It also enhances data security and reduces fraudulent activity on the IRCTC platform.
What Passengers Should Do Immediately
Passengers should log in to their IRCTC accounts and ensure all required details are updated and verified. Completing the process early helps avoid last-minute booking issues and account suspension.
Conclusion
The new IRCTC rule makes it clear that completing the mandatory verification step is essential for booking train tickets. Ignoring this requirement can lead to account closure and loss of booking access. Passengers should update their accounts promptly to ensure uninterrupted railway ticket booking.