IRCTC Tightens Ticket Booking Rules: Aadhaar Authentication Mandatory Between 8–10 AM

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has announced new booking regulations for online reservations, making Aadhaar authentication mandatory for users booking tickets between 8 am and 10 am on the first day of the reservation window.

According to the IRCTC website, the new rule took effect on October 28, 2025, and aims to enhance transparency and curb misuse of automated or bulk bookings during peak hours.

“With effect from 28th October 2025, only Aadhaar-authenticated users are allowed to book tickets between 8 am to 10 am on the first day of opening of reserved ticket booking,” the IRCTC statement reads.

Users who have not completed Aadhaar verification can continue to book tickets outside the 8–10 am window.

How to Link Aadhaar with IRCTC Account

Passengers are advised to complete their Aadhaar authentication by logging in to their IRCTC account via the website or mobile app.
They can link their Aadhaar number under the “My Profile” → “Aadhaar KYC” section.

Once linked, users can enjoy priority access to booking windows and faster verification during checkout.

New Guidelines for General Ticket Booking

From October 1, 2025, IRCTC has also introduced a 15-minute priority window for Aadhaar-verified users during the initial opening of general reservation bookings.
This means that for the first 15 minutes of ticket release, only verified users can reserve general tickets on the IRCTC platform.

The move is part of IRCTC’s broader effort to combat fraudulent transactions, prevent multiple fake accounts, and ensure that genuine passengers get fair access to seats during high-demand periods.

Tatkal and PRS Counter Bookings

The rule change applies exclusively to online reserved ticket bookings on IRCTC’s portal and app.
However, there is no change in ticket booking timings for passengers using Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters at railway stations.

Earlier, the Indian Railways had announced that from July 1, 2025, Tatkal tickets could only be booked by Aadhaar-authenticated users. Further tightening security, from July 15, 2025, OTP-based Aadhaar verification became mandatory for all Tatkal bookings — both online and at PRS counters.

The One-Time Password (OTP) is sent to the mobile number linked to the user’s Aadhaar, adding an extra layer of identity validation during the booking process.

Why IRCTC is Making These Changes

According to officials, these changes are aimed at:

• Preventing misuse of ticket booking systems by bots and touts.
• Ensuring fair seat allocation during high-demand windows.
• Strengthening user identity verification through Aadhaar-based KYC.
• Enhancing data accuracy in ticketing records.

IRCTC sources said that Aadhaar integration will also help streamline refunds, track fraudulent accounts, and improve the efficiency of real-time booking systems.

The Bigger Picture

With millions of train passengers booking daily, IRCTC has been gradually rolling out Aadhaar-linked ticketing policies to align with the government’s Digital India initiative.

While the move has been welcomed by frequent travelers as a security and fairness measure, some users have raised concerns about accessibility issues for passengers who are not tech-savvy or have not yet linked their Aadhaar to their accounts.

Still, the railway authority maintains that Aadhaar verification will become central to all forms of digital travel services in the coming years.