Indian Railways opened up their new ‘SwaRail’ app for beta testing for limited users. This app integrates all their railway services in one single app, and they plan to release it soon for everyone.
Indian Railways has launched their "super app" called ‘SwaRail’ for beta testing by users. As per the report by the Ministry of Railways, Govt. of India, on 31st January 2025, they've introduced this SuperApp called ‘SwaRail’, which aims to integrate all their railway services on one single app itself, instead of numerous separate apps which exist currently to serve different purposes such as ticket reservations, buying unreserved tickets, train enquiry, PNR status, tracking your train, complaints and grievance redressal, etc.
This new SwaRail app for Indian Railways will be officially launched for everyone, after the beta testing phase is completed. User feedback from the beta testing will be used for eliminating bugs and making improvements to it before it is officially launched for the public.
The Beta testing program began yesterday on January 31, 2025, with a limited number of users. Key features of this app include unified services, such as, ticket booking, PNR status, parcel booking, RailMadad support, etc., along with providing a single sign-on, an R-Wallet for payments, secure login via mPIN/OTP or biometric authentication, and saving space on your device as it removes the need to use multiple apps.
Features of SwaRail app
One app, multiple uses
As per the report by Ministry of Railways, the SwaRail SuperApp is Developed by the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS), which integrates all public-facing applications of Indian Railways into a single platform providing multiple uses.
As given in their example screenshots, this app can be used for various purposes, such as, from searching trains to booking or reserving train tickets as well as buying unreserved tickets and platform tickets, checking for PNR status, coach position, tracking your train, ordering food, filing for refund, grievance redressal (Rail Madad), providing feedback, etc.
This App will provide a wide range of services to Indian Railways travellers, including:
- Reserved Ticket Bookings
- Unreserved Ticket and Platform Ticket Bookings
- Parcel and Freight Enquiries
- Train and PNR Status Enquiries
- Food Orders on Trains
- Rail Madad for Complaint Management
Some Unique Features of SwaRail app
Some Unique Features of this SuperApp, as per the Ministry of Railways, are :
- Single Sign-On – Users will be able to access all services using a single set of credentials. Moreover, the same credentials will be used across existing Indian Railways apps like IRCTC RailConnect, UTS Mobile App, etc.
- All-in-One App – Currently, different apps are available for reserved and unreserved booking. Additionally, a separate app is required to check train movement and schedules. All these services will now be accessible through a unified app.
- Integrated Services – Services are being integrated to deliver comprehensive information from multiple sources in a cohesive and unified manner. For example, PNR enquiry will also display associated train information.
- Easy Login/Sign-Up – Users can login to the SuperApp using their existing RailConnect or UTS App credentials. The sign-up process has been simplified to enhance the user experience and make the app easily accessible.
- Ease of Login – Multiple login options have been provided to improve user experience. Once logged in, the app can be subsequently accessed using either an m-PIN or biometric authentication.
As per the Ministry of Railways report, the SwaRail App of Indian Railways is planned to be released soon to the public. This app integrates various services offered by Indian Railways, which are currently available on separate mobile apps.
These include multiple services of Indian Railways, such as, Reserved and Unreserved Ticket Booking, Platform and Parcel Booking, Train and PNR Enquiries, and Help through Rail Madad.
You can login to the app using your existing RailConnect or UTS on Mobile credentials, if you have it already. Once registered, the same credentials apply across these platforms. With the single-sign-on feature, you don't need to remember multiple passwords.
When you first login, an R-Wallet is created for to facilitate ticket bookings. Existing R-Wallets from the UTS on Mobile App will get automatically linked. This App also provides a secure and convenient login option using a numeric m-PIN. For enquiries, you can log in as Guests via mobile number/OTP.
What is Beta Testing?
Beta testing is a phase in software program or application (app) development in which the software is tested by a larger group of users, typically outside of the organisation that developed it.
Several companies or app developers who launch new apps, or even before releasing a newer version of their existing apps, release a beta version of their new app to a limited set of users who test it by using it. Based on various feedback and bug reports by the beta testers, the app developers will launch a final release to all users, after making corrections or additions to it.
How to be a Beta Tester of SwaRail app?
The SwaRail app is currently in beta testing, as of now in February 2025, and it is available for download on the Google Play Store for Android devices and Apple App Store for Apple iOS devices.
The Ministry of Railway invites users to experience this SuperApp during this Beta phase and provide valuable feedback for its improvement. With this new app, the Ministry of Railways aims to enhance user experience with an easy-to-use clean user interface (UI).
The SuperApp Beta testing phase will be closely monitored by the CRIS team for timely resolution of user feedback and suggestions. The Railways Ministry plans for the App’s mass launch after a thorough evaluation during this Beta Testing phase.
How to Get Started with the Beta Testing app:
- Download the App from the Play Store or App Store as shared by CRIS.
- Existing users of RailConnect or UTS Mobile App can log in directly with their credentials.
- New users can register with minimal data entry requirements.
Beta versions of apps can be unstable and can behave in unpredictable or undesired ways and may even crash on using. Beta testing is not for everyone or for your day-to-day use of the app, but it is only for those interested in voluntarily testing it by using it like a regular user would and providing valuable feedback to the developers.
Beta testing versions of apps are available in a "first come, first served" basis. The Beta Testing program on Android for this app appears to be full now, that is, it has reached the maximum number of testers that can participate in it and it isn't accepting any more testers, as per the message we got when we tried.
Update : 13 February 2025
As per their post on X on 13 February 2025, due to public demand, CRIS has increased the Beta slot on Android by 10000. Those interested in Beta testing the app the SuperApp of Indian Railways from: https://play.google.com/apps/testing/org.cris.aikyam
Keep in mind that Beta testing allows a limited number of people and once the slot is full, you won't be able to join in.
Note that a Beta testing version is an unreleased version of the app. As a tester, you'll receive an update that includes a testing version of the SwaRail app, which may also include unreleased versions of its instant app. Such testing versions of apps may be unstable and they may crash. They are not stable versions that are released for everyone. Beta versions are only for those who are willing to test the app by using it and give feedback to the app developers. Certain data on your use of the app will be collected and shared with the developer to help improve the app.
If you're looking for using the app for regular use without problems, you'd better wait for the stable release of the app for everyone.
Don't worry if you didn't get to test the beta app. You'll soon be able to use a stable release version as soon as the developers release it to the public.
Just make sure that you get the authentic app from Google Play Store (on Android devices) and Apple App Store (on Apple/iPhone/iOS devices). Do not download from anywhere else. The app developer is Centre for Railway Information Systems on both Android's Play Store as well as on Apple's App Store.
What does this mean for railway travellers?
The takeaway for everyone using Indian Railways and their services, from this, is that when this new integrated app is finally released for the public, it can be very convenient to railways passengers for buying train tickets as well as using other services or assistance during train travels, and also helpful for enquiring, registering grievances, etc.
As this new app integrates various railway services within itself, you don't need to have multiple apps in your phone for the same anymore, thus saving more space on your mobile device.
When will SwaRail be available for everyone?
So, when will SwaRail be released and available for everyone to use? We don't know when exactly. As per the Ministry of Railways, they aim to release the app to everyone soon. Once the beta testing phase is over, it should be available for everyone to use. So, all you have to do is wait for the release of its stable version which will be available for everyone on Android's Google Play Store as well as on Apple's App Store.
You'll still be able to continue using the Indian Railways' official websites as usual, for booking and other purposes, using a web browser on your devices. For example, the IRCTC website for ticket bookings and more services, and RailMadad website for grievance redressals. If you feel a mobile app is more convenient to you, then you may use it too.
- Indian Railways Launches ‘SwaRail’ SuperApp for Beta Testing – Final Public Launch after Trials: A One-Stop Solution for Seamless Railway Services - Ministry of Railways on PIB : Press Information Bureau, Govt. of India. Posted On: 31 JAN 2025 10:10PM by PIB Delhi. Retrieved on 01 February 2025.