UditVani, Jamshedpur : Starting October 1, 2025, passengers booking train tickets online will face a new rule — Aadhaar authentication will be compulsory during the first 15 minutes of the reservation window on the IRCTC website and mobile app.
The Ministry of Railways has introduced this measure to prevent misuse of the booking system by touts and unauthorized elements who often block tickets within minutes of opening, leaving genuine travelers at a disadvantage. The move, officials said, is intended to give the “common end user” priority access to tickets during this crucial period.
PRS Counters, Agents’ Rules Unchanged
The Railways clarified that there will be no change in booking procedures at computerized PRS counters across the country, where passengers can continue booking tickets without Aadhaar authentication.
The existing restriction on authorised agents, who are barred from booking opening-day reserved tickets for the first 10 minutes of the reservation window, will also continue as before.
Boost to Transparency
Officials believe the Aadhaar-linked verification system will act as a deterrent against fraudulent bulk bookings and restore fairness in the ticketing process.
By ensuring that only Aadhaar-authenticated users can access tickets in the initial minutes, the Railways hopes to improve availability for genuine travelers and tighten checks against misuse.
