A New Rule for Fairer Access
Booking a train ticket in India is often a race against the clock, with popular routes filling up within minutes of the reservation window opening. To ensure that real passengers are not left behind by bots and agents, Indian Railways has announced a new rule that takes effect from October 1, 2025. Anyone logging into the IRCTC website or mobile app to book tickets during the first 15 minutes will need to authenticate with their Aadhaar. Without this step, passengers will have to wait until the 15-minute mark before accessing the system.
Why Aadhaar Verification is Being Introduced
Until now, Aadhaar verification was compulsory only for Tatkal bookings, where tickets are sold out in seconds. The Railway Ministry is extending the same safeguard to general reservations, especially since the first few minutes of booking often decide who secures a confirmed seat. By requiring Aadhaar authentication, the system aims to stop ticket blocking by middlemen and prevent automated software from snapping up large chunks of seats. Officials believe this will restore fairness to the process and give individual passengers a better chance to book their tickets.
What Remains Unchanged
For those who still prefer booking tickets in person, nothing changes. Reservations at PRS counters will continue as before. The rule also does not alter the restriction already in place for authorised agents, who are barred from booking tickets in the first ten minutes of opening-day reservations. This staggered access ensures that individuals get priority over professional agents, making the online system more passenger friendly.
How the Transition Will Work
The Centre for Railway Information Systems and IRCTC are already updating platforms to integrate Aadhaar authentication smoothly. Zonal Railways have been directed to create awareness campaigns so travellers are well informed about the new rule before it comes into effect. Passengers are encouraged to link their Aadhaar with their IRCTC accounts in advance to avoid delays.
What It Means for Travellers
For everyday passengers, the message is simple: if you plan to book online the moment reservations open, your Aadhaar must be ready. This rule could make a major difference during peak travel times such as festivals and holidays, when seats are highly sought after. With bookings opening 60 days in advance, those early minutes can determine whether you secure a confirmed seat or end up on the waiting list.
Building a More Transparent System
Officials have emphasised that this step is part of a larger effort to bring greater transparency and fairness to railway ticketing. Much like earlier reforms to Tatkal bookings, Aadhaar verification for early general reservations is designed to cut down on fraud and restore confidence in advance ticketing. For passengers, it represents one more safeguard that ensures the seat they book is not lost to an automated system or an agent’s manipulation.
As October approaches, travellers can prepare for a new era of online railway bookings where Aadhaar verification is the key to securing tickets on time.
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