From October 1, 2025, Indian Railways will enforce stricter digital safeguards for ticket reservations. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has announced that Aadhaar-authenticated users alone will be permitted to book reserved general tickets online during the first 15 minutes of the booking window. Officials said the measure is designed to prevent misuse of the system and to ensure fairer access for genuine passengers.
The new rule will be applicable only to bookings made through the IRCTC website and mobile application. For passengers relying on computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters, timings will remain unchanged, offering continuity for those who prefer in-person booking. Officials emphasised that these checks are not entirely new but part of a phased strategy to regulate reservations more effectively. The Aadhaar-linked requirement was earlier introduced for Tatkal bookings, where it became mandatory from July 1, 2025. That reform required all online Tatkal ticket transactions to be tied to Aadhaar verification. Further, since July 15, system-based OTP authentication has been made compulsory for Tatkal tickets booked through counters and authorised railway agents.
The guidelines also continue to place restrictions on authorised agents to curb bulk reservations. Agents have been barred from booking opening-day reserved tickets for 10 minutes after the booking window opens. For Tatkal tickets, agents face a longer exclusion window — 30 minutes for AC classes between 10:00 and 10:30 AM, and for non-AC classes between 11:00 and 11:30 AM. Officials explained that these staggered timings are critical to prevent cornering of tickets by intermediaries and to give individual travellers priority access. Experts note that these measures highlight the Railways’ intent to align its digital operations with principles of transparency and accountability. Aadhaar authentication, they argue, creates a verifiable link between the passenger and the booking, limiting scope for fraudulent use. It also dovetails with India’s broader push for digital governance, where biometrics and OTP systems are used to secure essential citizen services.
The immediate impact for passengers will be a stricter verification process when logging in for bookings. Travellers are expected to update their IRCTC accounts with Aadhaar authentication well before the new system takes effect. The transition is expected to improve the reliability of bookings during peak periods, particularly for general and Tatkal categories, where competition for seats remains intense. While some concerns have been raised over accessibility for those without Aadhaar-linked accounts, officials insist that counter bookings remain unaffected. This balance, they argue, will ensure inclusivity while reinforcing digital security. For Indian Railways, the move marks another step towards a more equitable ticketing ecosystem, where efficiency and fairness drive passenger trust.
Also Read : Mumbai Weather Brings Moderate Rain High Humidity And AQI At 60 Today
