"IRCTC Cracks Down on Bot Misuse in Railway Ticketing Platform"
BOT attack
automated software scripts that mimic human users to make bulk bookings faster than any individual can
Content Delivery Network (CDN)
distributed server network that offloads static content delivery, reducing load on the core application server
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Railways, responsible for online ticketing, catering, and tourism services. Its internet ticketing service has grown into one of the largest e-governance transaction platforms in the world by volume. About 89% of all reserved train tickets are now booked online through IRCTC, making it a critical piece of public digital infrastructure.
The backend reservation engine is the Passenger Reservation System (PRS), developed and maintained by the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS). IRCTC provides the consumer-facing interface and payment layer, while CRIS manages seat inventory and allocation logic. The New Generation Ticketing (NGeT) system is the current platform handling peak-load bookings, processing 1.33 crore to 1.74 crore logins on each Advanced Reservation Period (ARP) opening day.
Public digital platforms handling scarce, high-demand resources are inherently vulnerable to automated misuse. BOT attacks, where software scripts mimic human users to make bulk bookings far faster than any individual can, are a well-documented threat to ticketing systems globally. When touts deploy BOTs to corner ticket inventory and resell at inflated prices, they effectively privatise a public resource. Defensive tools such as Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) and anti-BOT technology are standard responses: CDNs offload static content delivery to distributed servers, reducing load on the core system, while anti-BOT systems detect and block non-human traffic patterns. The Information Technology Act, 2000 (amended 2008) provides the legal framework under which cyber complaints related to such misuse can be filed.
The misuse of IRCTC's platform follows a clear pattern. Touts create large numbers of fake user accounts, use BOT scripts to book tickets the moment the ARP window opens, and then sell those tickets at a premium to passengers who cannot access the platform in time. This distorts fair access to a public resource and imposes a hidden tax on ordinary passengers.
IRCTC's response has been a layered anti-fraud architecture. First, Aadhaar-based authentication has been made mandatory for booking during the opening ARP window (from 8 a.m. to 8.10 a.m.), ensuring that only verified individuals, not fake accounts, can access the most competitive booking slots. This is a direct application of foundational identity infrastructure to enforce fair access on a public platform. …
Keeping in view India's internal security, analyse the impact of cross-border cyber attacks. Also discuss defensive measures against these sophisticated attacks.
Data security has assumed significant importance in the digitized world due to rising cyber crimes. The Justice B. N. Srikrishna Committee Report addresses issues related to data security. What, in your view, are the strengths and weaknesses of the Report relating to protection of personal data in cyber space?
Match the following cyber-defence tools used by IRCTC with their primary function:
List I (Tool)
A.Content Delivery Network (CDN)
B.Anti-BOT technology
C.Aadhaar authentication
D.National Cyber Crime Portal
List II (Primary Function)
1.Detects and blocks automated scripts mimicking human users
2.Enforces identity-verified access to the opening booking window
3.Offloads static content to distributed servers, reducing core system load
4.Centralised platform for filing complaints related to suspicious PNR numbers
Consider the following statements regarding IRCTC's online ticketing platform:
1.Approximately 89% of all reserved train tickets are booked through the IRCTC online platform.
2.Only Aadhaar-authenticated users are permitted to book tickets during the opening ARP window from 8 a.m. to 8.10 a.m.
3.Authorised ticketing agents are permitted to book ARP tickets during the first 10 minutes of the booking window, provided they are Aadhaar-verified.
4.Anti-BOT and CDN technology deployed by IRCTC has reduced malicious BOT traffic by 55% to 65%.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Consider the following statements regarding the legal and institutional framework governing cyber security for public digital platforms in India:
1.The Information Technology Act, 2000 was amended in 2008 and provides the legal framework for filing cyber crime complaints.
2.CERT-In (Computer Emergency Response Team — India) functions under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
3.The Justice B. N. Srikrishna Committee recommended an independent Data Protection Authority (DPA) as a regulatory body for personal data.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
With reference to the New Generation Ticketing (NGeT) system of IRCTC, consider the following statements:
1.NGeT is developed and maintained by the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS).
2.NGeT handles between 1.33 crore and 1.74 crore logins on each ARP opening day.
3.NGeT's load has been reduced through the implementation of Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) for static content.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Want the full note, Prelims Facts & MCQ answers?
Create a free account — takes less than a minute.
Create free account