IRCTC Re-activates Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) Facility in Mobile App
Indian Railways to reactivate facility of UTS on Mobile App in zones where unreserved train services are reintroduced
Indian Railways has decided to reactivate the facility of UTS on Mobile App in zones where unreserved train services are reintroduced. To decongest ticket booking counters and to ensure smooth compliance of social distancing norms, the facility to book unreserved tickets through UTS on Mobile App app is being reactivated by Indian Railways.
The Railways Ministry said, it has been decided that in addition to UTS on Mobile App facility available on suburban sections, this facility may also be reintroduced on non-suburban sections of zonal Railways.
Here’s the latest update on IRCTC reactivating the UTS (Unreserved Ticketing System) mobile ticketing facility for unreserved train services:
Contents
📲 What Is UTS on Mobile?
- UTS (Unreserved Ticketing System) on Mobile is an app-based facility allowing passengers to purchase unreserved general, platform, and season tickets, previously available on suburban trains, now extended to non-suburban passenger services across India, even for long-distance unreserved trains.
🔁 Why It Was Reactivated
- In February 2025, Indian Railways re‑enabled unreserved ticket booking on the UTS mobile app across zones where unreserved train services restarted. This aimed to decongest ticket counters and comply with social distancing norms.
- Zonal railways were directed to enable the service whenever they resume unreserved trains on any of their routes.
📍 How It Works Now
- You can now book unreserved general or passenger special tickets via UTS app, even for non-suburban routes (e.g. passenger/memu trains).
- The app supports printed ticket output via automatic vending machines (ATVMs) or QR-based mobile validation, depending on station-level facilities.
- Station halt selection for booking was improved in 2025—allowing booking from smaller halt stations in divisions like Southern Railway.
🗣️ User Feedback Highlights
- UTS is considered legit and government-approved, with many users confirming it via Reddit:
“It’s legit, along with every other app on Play Store developed by CRIS.”
- Some users report that booking works only when away from station premises, due to geo-fencing rules:
“Yes, you need to not be too close to station while booking.”
- Others note timing issues or glitches, especially on older app versions or low-end phones.
🚨 Recent Penalties & Issues
- In certain zones like South Western Railway, passengers booking incorrectly categorized special trains (e.g. “express special” instead of “ordinary”), have been penalised by TTEs—even though UTS offered auto-categorized options.
- Reddit users also report fines when booking multiple tickets from same UTS account for travel companions, even though the system allowed it—causing confusion.
📊 Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Reactivation Date | February 2025 |
| Applicable Sections | Suburban & Non-Suburban unreserved train services |
| Tickets Supported | General, platform tickets, and season tickets |
| Booking Mode | UTS mobile app with QR output / ATVM print support |
| Geo-restrictions | May not work inside station premises, per geo-fence rules |
| Common Issues | App glitches, category mismatch in slotted trains, incorrect fare penalties |
✅ Tips for UTS Mobile Booking
- Download only from verified sources: Play Store or Apple Store (by CRIS).
- Complete registration using a valid mobile number and ID.
- Enable GPS/location permissions—app often won’t open otherwise.
- Purchase ticket a few minutes away from the station, not inside, due to geo-fencing constraints.
- Check train category carefully before booking to avoid penalties—especially for passenger specials or MEMU/DEMU services.
📈 Impact
- In East Central Railway’s Danapur division, the reactivation of UTS mobile booking contributed to a 25% surge in unreserved ticket sales in June 2025, following a drive to penalize ticketless travel.
🧾 In Summary
Yes—IRCTC has re-activated the UTS mobile app facility allowing passengers to book unreserved tickets for general and passenger special trains, even on long-distance non-suburban routes. It aims to improve convenience and reduce crowds at counters. Usage is broadly accepted, though some issues like geo-fencing, app reliability, and train category mismatches may occur.
Would you like step-by-step guidance on how to register or book via UTS mobile, or help identifying if a specific train supports the feature?