From today, passengers booking train tickets on the IRCTC platform face a new digital gatekeeping mechanism. Aadhaar authentication has been made mandatory during the first 15 minutes of Tatkal reservations, a move designed to curb touting and ensure equitable access to train seats. The measure, which came into effect on October 1, marks a significant shift in the way Indians secure high-demand rail tickets online.
According to ministry officials, the rule ensures that only verified Aadhaar-linked users can access the booking system during this crucial opening window. The change is expected to prevent automated software and bulk booking agents from cornering tickets for resale at inflated rates. The government hopes that this early restriction will strengthen transparency and make popular trains accessible to genuine passengers rather than ticket scalpers.
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The new order does not alter timings at physical counters. Indian Railways confirmed that the existing 10-minute restriction for authorised agents at Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters remains unchanged. Officials also clarified that, after the initial 15-minute Aadhaar-only window for online bookings, the platform will revert to its usual system, allowing all registered users to secure tickets.
Previously, Aadhaar verification was made compulsory only for Tatkal tickets, which open one day before a train’s departure. Following what officials described as “positive results” in curbing irregular practices, the scope has now been widened to include general reserved bookings in the online system as well. This move, according to experts, signals the growing importance of digital identity authentication in safeguarding public transport systems.
For frequent travellers, the new policy means that Aadhaar linkage with the IRCTC account is no longer optional. Passengers who fail to update their profiles risk missing out on crucial early minutes when availability is highest, particularly on peak routes such as Delhi–Mumbai and Delhi–Howrah. Rail insiders believe the measure could level the playing field, giving ordinary commuters a fairer chance to access berths that otherwise vanish within seconds of the booking window opening.
Sustainable mobility advocates argue that such measures are vital for ensuring efficiency in high-demand transport corridors, especially in a country where over 20 million people travel by train daily. They add that the use of digital verification aligns with India’s broader push towards transparent, technology-driven governance and reduces paper-based bureaucracy in ticketing systems.
The rollout will likely test IRCTC’s ability to handle large-scale Aadhaar-linked verifications seamlessly. Any technical glitches, experts caution, could frustrate passengers during the busiest booking hours. However, officials maintain confidence that the system has been adequately tested to handle peak traffic loads.
As India’s railways continue to expand and digitalise, this change represents another step towards ensuring equitable access to mobility a critical component for building sustainable, efficient, and inclusive cities.
