The Ministry of Railways has launched a new beta version of the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website to make train ticket booking simpler and more user-friendly.

The IRCTC has introduced four major improvements in the new beta version. First, it does not have unnecessary captchas, pop-ups, flashing graphics or other distracting elements. Second, passengers can view seat availability across all classes. Third, it offers a faster checkout process, significantly reducing the number of steps required to book tickets. Finally, the website will save passengers’ details, making repeat bookings easier.

The beta version can be accessed at https://www.irctc.co.in/eticket/. A link to the beta version has also been provided on the homepage of the existing website. The Ministry has urged users to provide feedback on its simplified features.

The IRCTC website was first launched in 2002 and currently handles an average of around 14.5 lakh ticket bookings every day. There have been several complaints regarding its functioning and features. The beta version will also enable users to provide feedback on further improvements, which can be incorporated in future releases to enhance customer satisfaction.