Indian Railways is taking a major leap toward a fully digital ecosystem by expanding UPI QR code-based payment options at ticket counters across the country. This initiative is designed to simplify the passenger experience, reduce reliance on physical cash, and significantly decrease waiting times at reservation centers. By aligning with the national Digital India vision, the national transporter is making ticketing faster, more secure, and more convenient for millions of travellers.
- At least one unreserved ticket counter at every station is now dedicated to digital transactions as of April 12, 2026.
- The RailOne app replaced the UTS mobile application on March 1, 2026, offering seamless booking for general and platform tickets.
- Nearly 89% of all reserved tickets were booked online between June 2025 and June 2026.
- IRCTC received RBI approval in 2025 to function as a payment aggregator to strengthen digital payment infrastructure.
Expanding Digital Reach Across Divisions
The rollout of QR code payment facilities has been systematic across various railway zones. Major divisions have already integrated these systems to assist passengers: the Eastern Railway’s Howrah division implemented the facility on March 24, 2024, followed by the Southern Railway’s Palakkad division on August 30, 2024. Furthermore, the Central Railway’s Nagpur division successfully introduced QR-based payments by October 25, 2024.
For commuters using mobile services, the transition to the RailOne app has been pivotal. Passengers were previously incentivized with a 3% discount for digital transactions made through the platform until July 14, 2026. These efforts are the result of a collaborative push involving Indian Railways, IRCTC, NPCI, RBI, and CRIS to build a robust, modern, and user-friendly digital railway network.
A Commitment to Modernization
The shift away from cash is not just about convenience; it is about efficiency. With the Reserve Bank of India granting IRCTC permission to operate as a payment aggregator, the integration between railway services and India’s UPI and card networks has reached a new level of maturity. As Indian Railways continues to modernize its infrastructure, passengers can expect a smoother, faster, and more reliable ticketing process that minimizes the need for physical currency and long queues at railway stations.