Beta version of new IRCTC website to go live at 9 pm today
New Delhi, July 15
The beta version of the new IRCTC website will be launched on Wednesday at 9 pm for users to experience the new look and provide feedback on its features, the Railways Ministry said in a press release.
The website can be accessed at the link: https://www.irctc.co.in/eticket/. The link to the beta version is also provided on the existing website on the homepage.
The new website features a clean user interface and a simplified user experience. IRCTC has made four major improvements in the beta version, including no unnecessary captchas, no unnecessary pop-ups, no flashing graphics and no distracting elements; the seat availability will be visible across all classes, a reduction in the number of steps required for booking and easier repeat booking with saved passenger details.
These improvements were suggested by the students of Malaviya National Institute of Technology (MNIT) during their interaction with Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
The students were made a part of the design process, wherein they gave suggestions on improving the look and feel of the website. Based on the feedback received, the new website is ready for trial.
The beta version will facilitate user feedback on further improvements, which will be incorporated in future releases to enhance customer satisfaction. Soon, the IRCTC website will also be integrated with the upcoming new Passenger Reservation Engine. Since the Passenger Reservation Engine is also being revamped in parallel, the fully functional new IRCTC portal will be available in a few weeks, the ministry stated.
The decades-old Passenger Reservation Engine that powers various train booking apps. This required extensive work because the system had to remain operational throughout the upgradation process. The new Passenger Reservation Engine will be launched soon.
The IRCTC website was first launched in 2002 and currently handles an average of around 14.5 lakh tickets per day.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Beta version at 9 pm? I hope it doesn't crash like the old one during Tatkal time. But removing unnecessary captchas is a huge relief—those distorted numbers were giving me a headache! 😅
It's good to see the Railways Ministry listening to students. The clean UI is a smart move—less clutter means less confusion for elderly passengers too. But I'm skeptical about the new Passenger Reservation Engine; they've been promising that for years. Let's wait and watch.
As someone who books tickets for the whole family, I'm excited about the "easier repeat booking with saved passenger details" feature. No more typing names and ages every single time! Ab toh bas beta version stable rahe. 🤞
I appreciate the effort, but the real test will be during Tatkal booking. The old site freezes every time. Hope this new version can handle the traffic. Also, why beta at 9 pm? Most people book in the morning. They should test during peak hours.
Good to see user feedback being incorporated. The "no flashing graphics" part is especially important for accessibility. But I hope they've also made it mobile-friendly—most people book on phones these days. Let's see how the beta performs!
N Nikhil C