Indian Railways to replace 40-year-old PRS with cloud-based system by August 2026
Indian Railways will replace its 40-year-old Passenger Reservation System (PRS) with a modern cloud-based system starting August 2026. This upgrade aims to increase booking speed and stop server crashes during peak hours. Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnav reviewed the progress on May 7, 2026, to ensure passengers face no trouble during this transition.
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How will the new booking system improve?
The new system is being developed by the Center for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) with an investment of about ₹1,000 crore. It will make ticket booking much faster and more reliable for the common man.
| Feature | Current System | New Cloud System |
|---|---|---|
| Tickets per minute | 25,000 – 32,000 | 1.5 Lakh |
| Inquiries per minute | 4 Lakh | 40 Lakh |
| Chart Preparation | Standard time | At least 10 hours before departure |
What are the new digital features for passengers?
The RailOne mobile app, launched in July 2025, is a key part of this change and already has over 3.5 crore downloads. The app now uses AI to predict waitlist confirmation with 94% accuracy. Additionally, the railway will prioritize Aadhaar-verified accounts to make the process smoother and faster.
What changes will passengers notice in booking?
Users will experience faster payment processing and fewer session timeout issues. The new system will also introduce new features like seat selection. Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnav stated that the goal is to make the ticketing process smart, transparent, and efficient for every passenger.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the new booking capacity of the upgraded PRS?
The upgraded system will be able to handle 1.5 lakh tickets per minute, compared to the current capacity of 25,000 to 32,000 tickets.
How does the RailOne app help in waitlist confirmation?
The RailOne app uses an AI-based prediction system that has increased its accuracy for waitlist confirmation from 53% to 94%.