Aadhaar IRCTC Booking Rules: Mandatory Authentication for General Reserved Tickets from Oct 1, 2025

Aadhaar IRCTC booking rules make authentication mandatory for general reserved tickets during the first 15 minutes from October 1, 2025. Learn eligibility, procedure, and exam-relevant updates.
Aadhaar Authentication to be Mandatory for First 15 Minutes in IRCTC General Reserved Ticket Booking from Oct 1, 2025
New Requirement for Aadhaar in IRCTC Bookings
Starting October 1, 2025, Indian Railways has introduced a rule that mandates Aadhaar-based authentication for booking general reserved train tickets on IRCTC (website or mobile app) during the first 15 minutes after the reservation window opens for a given train. Previously this authentication was required only for Tatkal bookings.
Who is Affected & How It Works
Only users whose IRCTC accounts are linked with Aadhaar (or virtual ID) and who complete the authentication process will be able to book general reserved tickets in that initial time slot. This change applies online (through IRCTC website/app). The rule does not affect the booking of general reserved tickets through PRS (Passenger Reservation System) counters; those will continue to operate as before.
Purpose Behind the Policy
The main goal is to reduce misuse and fraudulent bookings at the time reservation windows open, especially during initial rush times when demand spikes. By ensuring only Aadhaar-authenticated users can book immediately at opening time, the policy aims to enhance fairness and transparency.
Implementation Details & User Guidance
• IRCTC accounts must be Aadhaar-linked and authenticated (or virtual ID used) before Oct 1 to benefit from the priority booking window.
• IRCTC is required to modify its system (backend and frontend) to enforce this rule.
• Wide publicity is to be done to inform users of the changes.
• The existing practice of restricted agent booking windows and other Tatkal-related Aadhaar/OTP requirements continues.
Why This News Is Important
Ensuring Fair Access
This change aims to level the playing field for ordinary passengers. In many cases, high demand causes general reservations opening windows to be grabbed immediately by bots, bulk bookers, or authorised agents, leaving genuine travellers at disadvantage. The Aadhaar authentication requirement helps to ensure that initially available tickets go to real, verifiable users.
Preventing Fraud and Misuse
Linking tickets to Aadhaar creates a stronger identity check. This helps reduce duplicate, fake, or proxy bookings, which are frequent complaints in complaints about IRCTC and Tatkal systems. For exam-takers, this reflects the government’s larger push towards using Aadhaar for verification in multiple areas, and legal/regulatory mechanisms to curb misuse.
Policy Consistency with Digital Governance Goals
The move is in line with broader digital governance, e-identification, and transparency goals pursued by the government under schemes like Digital India, which emphasize Aadhaar for identity verification. It also aligns with past policies.

1. Aadhaar IRCTC Booking Rules: Mandatory
Authentication for General Reserved Tickets
from Oct 1, 2025


Aadhaar IRCTC booking rules make authentication mandatory for general reserved tickets during the
first 15 minutes from October 1, 2025. Learn eligibility, procedure, and exam-relevant updates.
Aadhaar Authentication to be Mandatory for First 15 Minutes in IRCTC General Reserved Ticket
Booking from Oct 1, 2025
New Requirement for Aadhaar in IRCTC Bookings
Starting October 1, 2025, Indian Railways has introduced a rule that mandates Aadhaar-based
authentication for booking general reserved train tickets on IRCTC (website or mobile app) during
the first 15 minutes after the reservation window opens for a given train. Previously this
authentication was required only for Tatkal bookings.
Who is Affected & How It Works
Only users whose IRCTC accounts are linked with Aadhaar (or virtual ID) and who complete the
authentication process will be able to book general reserved tickets in that initial time slot. This change
applies online (through IRCTC website/app). The rule does not affect the booking of general reserved
tickets through PRS (Passenger Reservation System) counters; those will continue to operate as
before.

2. Purpose Behind the Policy
The main goal is to reduce misuse and fraudulent bookings at the time reservation windows open,
especially during initial rush times when demand spikes. By ensuring only Aadhaar-authenticated
users can book immediately at opening time, the policy aims to enhance fairness and transparency.
Implementation Details & User Guidance
• IRCTC accounts must be Aadhaar-linked and authenticated (or virtual ID used) before Oct 1
to benefit from the priority booking window.
• IRCTC is required to modify its system (backend and frontend) to enforce this rule.
• Wide publicity is to be done to inform users of the changes.
• The existing practice of restricted agent booking windows and other Tatkal-related
Aadhaar/OTP requirements continues.


Why This News Is Important
Ensuring Fair Access
This change aims to level the playing field for ordinary passengers. In many cases, high demand
causes general reservations opening windows to be grabbed immediately by bots, bulk bookers, or
authorised agents, leaving genuine travellers at disadvantage. The Aadhaar authentication
requirement helps to ensure that initially available tickets go to real, verifiable users.

3. Preventing Fraud and Misuse
Linking tickets to Aadhaar creates a stronger identity check. This helps reduce duplicate, fake, or proxy
bookings, which are frequent complaints in complaints about IRCTC and Tatkal systems. For exam-
takers, this reflects the government’s larger push towards using Aadhaar for verification in multiple
areas, and legal/regulatory mechanisms to curb misuse.
Policy Consistency with Digital Governance Goals
The move is in line with broader digital governance, e-identification, and transparency goals pursued
by the government under schemes like Digital India, which emphasize Aadhaar for identity verification.
It also aligns with past policies (like requiring Aadhaar or OTP for Tatkal bookings).
Impact on Stakeholders
For students or travellers, this means they must ensure their Aadhaar is linked with their IRCTC
account ahead of time. For IRCTC and Railways, there’s an operational task: system updates, user
notifications, training staff, etc. For exam aspirants (Railways, Civil Services, etc.), this is a current
policy change worth noting under “General Policy / Transport / Digital Identity / IRCTC Rules”.
Historical Context
Evolution of IRCTC Booking and Aadhaar Use
• Tatkal booking reforms: Earlier in 2025, the government introduced stricter Aadhaar
authentication and OTP verification for Tatkal ticket bookings to curb abuse, scalping, bots,
and fraudulent practices.
• Aadhaar as a verification tool: Aadhaar has gradually been integrated into many
government systems for identity verification (banking, subsidies, welfare, etc.). Its use in ticket
reservations is an extension of that broader trend.
Previous Booking Rules & Loopholes
• Before this change, general reserved ticket bookings (non-Tatkal) did not require Aadhaar
authentication in many cases; hence many users/businesses exploited opening windows via
proxy bookings or large agents.
• Agents had certain windows and authorised privileges; there have been concerns over unfair
competition by agents or bots.
Government Response & Systemic Reforms
• The Railways had been periodically issuing circulars / orders to modify booking behaviour:
agent restrictions, OTPs, limiting agent activity during certain windows.
• The policy change reflects the government’s increased push to harness digital tools for
transparency and reduce corruption / misuse in public services.

4. Key Takeaways from Aadhaar-IRCTC Booking Rule
Change
S. No. Key Takeaway
1
From October 1, 2025, only Aadhaar-authenticated users can book general reserved train tickets
via IRCTC (website/app) during the first 15 minutes after reservation opens.
2
This requirement applies only to online bookings through IRCTC; PRS counters for general
reservations remain unaffected.
3
The change extends Aadhaar authentication requirements beyond just Tatkal tickets to the
general reserved ticket category during the critical initial booking period.
4
Users must link and authenticate their Aadhaar/Virtual ID with IRCTC accounts before the rule
takes effect to avoid booking inability.
5
The rule aims to prevent misuse like fraudulent/bulk bookings, bots, or advantaged agents during
opening of reservation windows, increasing fairness and transparency in the system.

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