Indian Railways is rolling out a modernised passenger reservation system that empowers travellers to choose their preferred seat or berth during booking—mirroring airline-style convenience. The enhanced platform also features a fare calendar, enabling users to identify more affordable travel dates. According to officials, the upgrade aims to deliver greater transparency, efficiency and user-centricity in rail travel.
The revamped Modern Passenger Reservation System (PRS), developed by the Centre for Railway Information Systems, boasts a fivefold improvement in speed. Capable of processing 1.5 lakh bookings per minute and handling over 40 lakh live enquiries, the system supports a multilingual, mobile-responsive interface tailored for a diverse Indian user base. Special inclusive features address the needs of divyangjan (persons with disabilities), students and patients, aligning with the ministry’s vision of equitable and accessible travel. Another key improvement is the early confirmation of reservation charts. Instead of the standard four-hour timeline, charts will now be finalised eight hours before train departure—meaning morning-trains charts will close by 9 pm the previous night. Officials indicate this will give travellers, especially those from remote locations, more time to finalise or adjust travel plans.
From 1 July, verified users will also benefit from enhanced Tatkal booking security. Only passengers authenticated through Aadhaar or government ID via DigiLocker can book Tatkal tickets initially, with OTP‑based login to follow later in the month. Transport ministry experts stress this change is intended to reduce fraud and improve transparency in peak-time bookings. These feature-rich changes signal Indian Railways’ digital transformation, prioritising passenger convenience, sustainability and operational efficiency. Carbon footprints may be indirectly reduced as travellers make informed and planned travel decisions—potentially reducing unnecessary journeys. The seat selection feature is expected to particularly support families, senior citizens and women travelling together, ensuring safer and more tailored journey experiences.
Industry analysts say the modern PRS rollout is a positive stride towards customer-centric rail travel in India. The combination of speed, choice and verification mechanisms reassures users and builds trust in public transport. This upgrade may well serve as a template for other mass transit systems seeking inclusive, technology-driven solutions, elevating Indian Railways’ position as a forward‑looking and passenger‑first institution.
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