Indian Railways has rolled out “RailOne,” a comprehensive mobile application that brings a wide array of passenger services under one roof. Unveiled by Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw during the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) 40th Foundation Day ceremony, RailOne is set to simplify travel for millions of commuters. It’s a strategic step forward in the digitalization journey of Indian Railways, bundling features that were once spread across a handful of separate apps.
Key Takeaways:
- RailOne is Indian Railways’ new unified app, integrating 10 vital services.
- It streamlines tasks like booking tickets (reserved, unreserved, platform), checking PNR status, and tracking trains live.
- The app features a single sign-on (SSO) system and integrates R-Wallet for smoother payments.
- Developed by CRIS, it eliminates the need for juggling multiple railway-related apps.
- Available now on both the Android Play Store and Apple App Store.
For quite a while, navigating India’s railway system digitally meant hopping between several apps and websites. Booking reserved tickets required IRCTC Rail Connect, unreserved tickets came through UTS, train tracking happened via National Train Enquiry System, and food orders went through eCatering. Frankly, it was a bit much. RailOne addresses this head-on, offering an intuitive platform that consolidates all these services in one place.
The goal is pretty straightforward: make travel easier and railway operations more efficient. The app’s design is intentionally simple, keeping the interface clean and the information accessible. It reflects Indian Railways’ broader commitment to using technology to enhance convenience and modernize the travel experience.
A Closer Look at RailOne’s 10 Core Services
RailOne is the result of extensive development by CRIS, the IT arm of the Ministry of Railways. With decades of experience in building software for Indian Railways, CRIS has crafted an app that merges essential services into one cohesive experience.
Here’s a breakdown of the 10 services now bundled into the RailOne platform:
- Reserved Ticket Bookings: Passengers can plan trips, search trains, check seat availability, and book tickets—all in one place. This brings together what IRCTC Rail Connect used to handle.
- Unreserved Ticket Bookings: Perfect for short-distance travelers and daily commuters, this feature includes paperless ticketing and integrates what used to be the UTS app.
- Platform Ticket Bookings: Need to see someone off or access the platform? Book your platform ticket through RailOne in a few taps.
- Real-time Train Tracking: Track trains live, get delay updates, and see arrival times. No need for separate tracking tools anymore.
- PNR Status Check: A quick, accurate tool for checking reservation status, berth details, and journey info.
- Coach Position Finder: No more running across platforms. This helps you locate where your coach will stop.
- Order Food on the Go: Partnered vendors allow passengers to order meals straight from the app, delivered right to your seat.
- Rail Madad: This grievance redressal feature lets you raise complaints or give feedback, tracking the resolution process easily.
- Refund Requests: Requesting a refund is less of a hassle now, thanks to a guided step-by-step process.
- Journey Planning: Plan routes, check schedules, and build your itinerary in one go. It’s a helpful all-in-one travel planner.
User Experience and Technical Advancements
One standout feature is the single sign-on (SSO) functionality. No more juggling multiple logins. If you were using RailConnect or UTSonMobile, your existing credentials still work. For new users, sign-up is quick and painless. There’s even a guest mode for one-time inquiries, verified through mobile number and OTP.
Integrated into the app is R-Wallet, a digital wallet for secure, quick payments. Users can log in using numeric mPINs or biometric authentication. Add to that multilingual support, and you have an app that aims to serve India’s diverse population.
On the technical side, CRIS has built RailOne to be scalable and robust. It can handle a peak load of over 1.5 lakh ticket bookings per minute—a dramatic jump from the earlier capacity of 32,000. Inquiry capacity is expected to jump tenfold too, from 4 lakh to over 40 lakh per minute. That kind of capacity will be crucial during high-traffic times like festival seasons.
RailOne isn’t just a software upgrade. It responds directly to public frustrations seen across Reddit threads and Quora posts: too many apps, confusing logins, fragmented services. RailOne is the answer to that feedback, consolidating services into a smooth, unified journey.
Yes, IRCTC will still charge a convenience fee for reserved bookings via RailOne, but for many users, the streamlined experience could be well worth it. It marks a shift in how Indian Railways is approaching digital service delivery.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Digital Rail Travel
RailOne is part of a broader modernization push. Features like advanced chart preparation (eight hours before departure, or 9 PM the previous day for early morning trains) and stricter ID verification for Tatkal bookings via DigiLocker are in the pipeline. By December 2025, these changes aim to reduce waitlist uncertainty and simplify the booking process even more.
The early access version, known as ‘SwaRail,’ was well-received. Users liked the clean layout and the ease of having everything centralized. While some needed time to warm up to the new name, the overall response has been positive.
Now officially launched, RailOne is downloadable on both the Play Store and App Store. Developed by CRIS with deep domain insight, the app is another big step in Indian Railways’ digital transformation. With future updates already in the works, RailOne could very well become the gold standard for train travel in India.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about RailOne App
Q1: What is the RailOne app?
A1: It’s the new official Indian Railways app that brings 10 essential rail services together on a single platform.
Q2: What services does RailOne offer?
A2: It includes bookings (reserved, unreserved, platform), live train tracking, PNR status, coach finder, food ordering, complaints (Rail Madad), refunds, and journey planning.
Q3: Is RailOne replacing existing apps like IRCTC Rail Connect or UTS?
A3: Yes. While older apps might work during the transition, RailOne is intended as the unified replacement.
Q4: Can I use my old IRCTC or UTS credentials with RailOne?
A4: Absolutely. RailOne supports single sign-on with existing credentials from RailConnect or UTSonMobile.
Q5: Does RailOne support R-Wallet?
A5: Yes, R-Wallet is integrated for secure and easy payments.
Q6: Will there still be a convenience fee on ticket bookings?
A6: Yes, IRCTC will continue charging a convenience fee for reserved tickets booked through RailOne.
Q7: Is RailOne available on all smartphones?
A7: It’s available on both Android (Play Store) and iOS (App Store).
Q8: Who developed RailOne?
A8: RailOne was developed by CRIS (Centre for Railway Information Systems), under the Ministry of Railways.
Q9: Can I track train status and coach position in the app?
A9: Yes, both features are available directly within RailOne.
Q10: What is Rail Madad in the RailOne app?
A10: Rail Madad allows users to file complaints or send feedback to Indian Railways and track their resolution status.
