The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation has launched the beta version of its redesigned ticket booking website, marking the first major revamp of the platform in more than two decades, the Ministry of Railways said on Wednesday The new portal is now live and accessible to passengers through a dedicated link on the existing IRCTC homepage. Users can explore the updated interface and submit feedback before the final version is rolled out in the next few weeks. The launch is part of the Railways’ larger plan to modernize its digital ticketing infrastructure and make train bookings faster and easier for passengers. Redesign based on student feedback According to the ministry, the redesign was driven largely by inputs from students of Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur. The students had interacted with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and shared suggestions to make the website more intuitive and user-friendly Several of those recommendations have been directly incorporated into the new platform, and students were also involved in the design process. What’s new in the beta version Originally launched in 2002, the current IRCTC website handles about 14.5 lakh ticket bookings every day. The new beta version brings a complete visual and functional upgrade aimed at reducing friction during booking. Key improvements include: • Cleaner interface: Removal of unnecessary captchas, pop-ups, flashing banners and other distracting elements to create a calmer booking experience • Better seat visibility: Seat availability is now displayed across all travel classes on a single screen, making it easier to compare options • Faster checkout: The number of steps in the booking process has been reduced to cut down booking time • Saved details: Passenger information can be saved, making repeat bookings quicker The ministry said the beta phase is specifically meant to collect real user feedback. Suggestions received during this trial period will be reviewed and added to future updates before the final launch Integration with new reservation system The revamped IRCTC website will also be integrated with the new Passenger Reservation Engine that is currently being upgraded in parallel. Officials said the new PRS, which powers train bookings across IRCTC, station counters and other apps, required extensive redevelopment to handle higher traffic while ensuring zero downtime. The fully integrated new IRCTC portal along with the upgraded reservation engine is expected to be rolled out across the network in the coming weeks. Officials added that the goal is to make the entire booking ecosystem more stable, faster and more responsive to passenger needs. Post navigation SC Directs Separate Space For Muslims Near Bhojshala For Friday Prayers, Calls Matter “Sensitive”
