Indian Railways is taking a major step to make online ticket booking safer, faster, and more transparent for genuine passengers. From October 1, 2025, anyone trying to book a general reserved ticket online during the first 15 minutes of opening will be required to complete Aadhaar authentication.
This initiative is part of the Railways’ effort to curb ticket hoarding by touts and intermediaries. Previously, a large number of tickets were booked by agents and resold at higher prices, making it difficult for regular passengers to secure their preferred seats. Now, only users with verified Aadhaar linked to their IRCTC account will be able to book tickets in this critical first window. ✅
Key Highlights of the New Rules:
Online Booking Only: This rule applies exclusively to online bookings. Railway station ticket counters will continue operating as before.
Tatkal Tickets: Aadhaar verification, introduced in July 2025 for Tatkal bookings, remains mandatory.
Authorized Agents: They are now restricted from booking during the initial 30 minutes. AC classes are blocked from 10:00–10:30 AM, while Non-AC classes are restricted from 11:00–11:30 AM.
Reservation Charts: Charts will now be prepared 8 hours before train departure, up from the previous 4 hours, giving waitlisted passengers more time to plan their travel.
PRS Upgrade for Faster, Smarter Booking
The Railways is also upgrading its Passenger Reservation System (PRS), developed by the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS). Once operational, the new PRS will:
◆Process over 1.5 lakh tickets per minute
◆Handle more than 40 lakh inquiries per minute
This upgrade promises a more efficient, transparent, and passenger-friendly ticketing experience, reducing website crashes and delays during peak booking hours.
How to Link Your Aadhaar with IRCTC
1. Visit the IRCTC official website
2. Login using your User ID and password
3. Go to My Account → Authenticate User
4. Enter your Aadhaar Number or Virtual ID and verify via OTP
5. Submit the consent form, and you’re ready to book tickets seamlessly
With these new rules, passengers can travel smarter, book faster, and avoid the stress of missing out on tickets. Indian Railways is truly moving towards a modern, digital, and passenger-first ticketing system.
