Aadhaar Verification Made Mandatory for Online Train Ticket Booking in First 15 Minutes from October 1

The Indian Railways is introducing a new Aadhaar-based authentication rule for online ticket bookings on the IRCTC platform. Starting October 1, 2025, passengers will need Aadhaar verification to book general reserved train tickets during the first 15 minutes of the booking window. The move is aimed at ensuring fair access for common passengers and reducing misuse by touts and unauthorised agents.

Aadhaar Verification for General Reservations

According to the circular issued by the Railway Ministry, Aadhaar authentication will now be mandatory for passengers booking general reserved tickets online via the IRCTC website or mobile app during the first 15 minutes of the reservation opening.

Currently, this Aadhaar restriction applies only to Tatkal ticket bookings, but starting October 1, it will also cover general reservations.

Purpose of the Rule

The ministry highlighted that the measure is designed to prevent misuse of the booking system by unauthorised agents and to ensure that genuine passengers benefit. The move aligns with earlier initiatives taken under the Tatkal system, which saw positive results in curbing fraudulent activities.

A senior official explained:

“Earlier, we had implemented a similar 15-minute Aadhaar restriction for Tatkal bookings. Seeing its effectiveness, we are now extending this to general reservations.”

How the Rule Will Work

To understand the policy, consider this example:

• If reservations open at 10 AM, only Aadhaar-verified users will be able to book general reserved tickets online until 10:15 AM.

• After this 15-minute window, bookings will open to all users, including authorised agents.

This mechanism ensures that regular passengers get the first chance to book tickets before agents enter the system.

Impact on Ticketing Agents

The ministry clarified that authorised ticketing agents will continue to face restrictions. They will be permitted to book tickets only after the first 15 minutes have passed.

Additionally, the existing 10-minute restriction—which prevents agents from booking tickets immediately after reservations open—will continue unchanged.

PRS Counters Remain Unaffected

The new Aadhaar authentication rule applies only to online bookings on the IRCTC website and mobile app.

Passengers booking through railway PRS (Passenger Reservation System) counters will not face any changes in the current process. The counters will continue operating as per their existing rules and timings.

Aadhaar Rule in Tatkal Bookings

The rule is not entirely new. In fact, Aadhaar verification during the first 15 minutes has already been implemented successfully in the Tatkal booking system.

• For AC classes, Tatkal reservations open at 10 AM, one day before the train’s departure.

• For non-AC classes, the window opens at 11 AM.

• In both cases, Aadhaar authentication is mandatory for the first 15 minutes of booking.

This success led the ministry to extend the same restriction to general reservations.

Implementation and System Updates

The Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) and IRCTC have been directed to make the necessary system changes ahead of the rollout on October 1.

Additionally, zonal railways will be notified to ensure seamless implementation across the country. The ministry aims to use Aadhaar’s authentication system to bring more transparency and security into the online booking process.

Passenger Benefits

With the introduction of Aadhaar verification, genuine passengers are likely to benefit in several ways:

• Fair Access: Regular users get a priority booking window before agents.

• Reduced Malpractices: It limits the chances of bulk booking by touts and unauthorised agents.

• More Transparency: Aadhaar authentication helps ensure accountability in online reservations.

Conclusion

The extension of Aadhaar verification to general ticket bookings marks a significant step by Indian Railways in its effort to improve fairness and accessibility. By restricting the first 15 minutes of bookings to Aadhaar-authenticated users, the ministry is prioritising common passengers while curbing fraudulent practices.

As the policy comes into effect from October 1, 2025, passengers are advised to ensure their IRCTC accounts are Aadhaar-linked to avoid inconvenience.