Indian Railways’ new Aadhaar rule for online ticket booking from October 1. Check details

In a bid to curb misuse of online reservation system, the Indian Railways will implement a new rule from October 1, 2025. Under the new norms, passengers with Aadhaar-authenticated IRCTC accounts will only be allowed to book reserved general tickets during the first 15 minutes of the reservation window opening for any train. This will apply across both the IRCTC website and the mobile app. The announcement was officially published on the Press Information Bureau (PIB) portal.

Why the Change Has Been Introduced

According to the Ministry of Railways, the step has been taken to ensure genuine passengers get fair access to tickets. The early minutes of reservation are often exploited by unauthorized agents and misuse has been a long-standing concern. By allowing only Aadhaar-verified users to book during this critical window, authorities expect to reduce fraudulent practices and give genuine travelers a better chance at securing seats.

What Remains Unchanged

The new rule does not affect ticket booking at railway counters. Passengers can continue to purchase tickets from PRS counters as usual, without Aadhaar authentication. Additionally, the existing rule that prohibits authorized railway agents from booking opening-day tickets for the first 10 minutes remains in place.

How the New Rule Works

From October 1, 2025, Aadhaar-authenticated IRCTC users will have exclusive access to online bookings during the first 15 minutes of the reservation opening. After this period, the system will open for all registered users, regardless of Aadhaar linkage.

Steps to Link Aadhaar with IRCTC Account

Passengers are advised to complete Aadhaar verification before the rule takes effect. The process involves:

• Logging into the IRCTC account
• Navigating to "My Account" → "Authenticate User"
• Submitting Aadhaar or Virtual ID details
• Completing OTP verification sent to the Aadhaar-linked mobile number
• Important Tips for Passengers
• Popular trains often sell out quickly, so keep your login ready before the booking window opens.
• Fill in travel details in advance for faster processing.
• Remember, Aadhaar authentication only affects the first 15 minutes; after that, regular booking rules apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I still book tickets if my account isn’t Aadhaar-linked?
Yes. Non-Aadhaar verified users can book tickets after the first 15 minutes.

Q: Do I need Aadhaar to book from a PRS counter?
No. Station counters will continue without this requirement.

Q: Is this applicable for Tatkal tickets?
No. The change is limited to general reserved tickets during the first 15 minutes of booking.

With this new step, Indian Railways is looking to make the ticket booking process fairer and more transparent for genuine passengers.