Aadhaar Needed for First 15 Minutes of Online Train Ticket Booking

In a move to curb misuse and ensure fair access, the Indian Railways has announced that starting October 1, 2025, reserved general ticket bookings via the IRCTC website or app will require Aadhaar authentication during the first 15 minutes after the booking window opens for any train.

Previously, Aadhaar verification was mandatory only for Tatkal bookings. Under the new policy, regular general reservations will also have this restriction during the critical opening period.

The rules do not affect bookings made through the Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters; their timing and process remain unchanged.

Also retained is the existing 10-minute restriction for authorised ticketing agents: they will not be allowed to book opening-day general reservations in that initial window.

Railway authorities say the change is intended to allow genuine users better access during the first minutes when reservations open, preventing bulk or automated bookings by middlemen and ensuring transparency.

The system-software modifications to IRCTC and CRIS will be made ahead of the deadline, and zonal railways will issue guidelines to implement the change.