From October 1, 2025, Indian Railways will roll out a new Aadhaar-linked rule for online ticket reservations. Under the new system, only passengers with Aadhaar-authenticated IRCTC accounts will be allowed to book reserved general tickets during the first 15 minutes of the booking window.
The step, officially announced by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), aims to curb misuse of the online reservation system by unauthorized agents and ensure fair access for genuine passengers.
Why This Rule?
According to the Ministry of Railways, the early minutes of ticket booking are often exploited by touts and unauthorized agents. Restricting the initial booking period to Aadhaar-verified accounts is expected to minimize fraudulent practices and give genuine travelers a better chance to secure tickets.
What Remains the Same
- Ticket booking at railway counters (PRS) will continue as usual without Aadhaar verification.
- The existing ban on agents booking tickets during the first 10 minutes of opening day remains unchanged.
- The new rule does not apply to Tatkal tickets.
How It Works
- First 15 minutes of booking window → Only Aadhaar-authenticated IRCTC users can book.
- After 15 minutes → All registered users can book, regardless of Aadhaar linkage.
Aadhaar Linking Process for IRCTC
- Log in to your IRCTC account.
- Go to My Account → Authenticate User.
- Submit Aadhaar or Virtual ID details.
- Complete OTP verification via Aadhaar-linked mobile.
Passenger Tips
- Keep login ready before booking window opens.
- Pre-fill travel details for faster processing.
- Remember: Aadhaar matters only for the first 15 minutes.
