Starting October 1, 2025, passengers booking general reserved train tickets online via IRCTC will face a new restriction: only users with Aadhaar-authenticated accounts will be allowed to book tickets during the first 15 minutes of the reservation window.

This change, announced by the Ministry of Railways, extends a rule that currently applies only to Tatkal bookings. The move is aimed at curbing misuse by touts and ensuring fair access for genuine travellers during peak booking hours.

The Ministry clarified that this restriction is limited to IRCTC’s website and mobile app. There will be no change in the booking process at computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters, where passengers can continue to book tickets without Aadhaar verification.
 

In addition, the existing 10-minute restriction on authorised ticketing agents remains in place. Agents will still be barred from booking reserved tickets during the initial 10 minutes after the booking window opens.

The Railway Ministry stated that Aadhaar-linked access will help prioritise everyday passengers and reduce fraudulent bulk bookings that often block seats within seconds of availability.

This update follows a similar move in July 2025, when Aadhaar authentication was made mandatory for Tatkal bookings on IRCTC platforms.

Major Changes at a glance:

  • Aadhaar authentication mandatory for IRCTC bookings during the first 15 minutes of general reservation window
  • Applies only to online bookings via IRCTC website and app
  • PRS counters unaffected—no Aadhaar needed for offline bookings
  • Tatkal rule extended to general reservations
  • Authorised agents still restricted from booking tickets during first 10 minutes
  • Aims to curb misuse and improve access for genuine passengers