New Rule for Train Travelers: IRCTC Ticket Booking Now Requires Aadhaar Verification
The Indian Railways has introduced a new rule that directly impacts millions of passengers across the country. Starting October 1, 2025, anyone booking a general reservation ticket through IRCTC will be required to have their account linked with Aadhaar. This move is aimed at curbing fraudulent bookings, preventing ticket black-marketing, and ensuring fair access for genuine travelers.
What the New Rule Means for Passengers
Under the updated guidelines, passengers will not be able to book general tickets unless their IRCTC account is linked to their Aadhaar number. During the booking process, Aadhaar authentication will be carried out using a one-time password (OTP) sent to the registered mobile number.
The Railway Ministry has clarified that Aadhaar verification will be mandatory in the first 15 minutes after general tickets open for booking on the IRCTC website or mobile app. The logic is simple—this window is when agents, bots, and fraudulent IDs are most active. By adding Aadhaar verification, the system hopes to block fake bookings and scalpers.
Why Aadhaar Linking Has Been Made Compulsory
According to officials, this policy has been designed to tackle multiple challenges faced by both passengers and Indian Railways:
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Curbing fake IDs and bots – Automated tools often flood the system and block genuine travelers from getting tickets.
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Preventing black marketing – Agents book large volumes of tickets and resell them at higher prices, creating unnecessary scarcity.
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Ensuring fair ticket access – Linking Aadhaar ensures transparency so that more passengers can get confirmed seats and the waiting list is reduced.
Step-by-Step Guide to Link Aadhaar with IRCTC Account
Passengers who have not yet linked their Aadhaar to their IRCTC account are advised to complete the process immediately. Here’s how you can do it:
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Log in to the official IRCTC website.
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Go to the My Account section and click on Authenticate User.
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Enter your Aadhaar number or Virtual ID.
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Click on Verify Details and proceed.
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Enter the OTP received on your registered mobile number.
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Submit the details to complete the linking process.
Once verified, your account will be linked with Aadhaar, and you will be eligible to book general tickets without interruptions.
Counter Bookings Also Affected
The new rule does not just apply to online reservations. Passengers booking tickets through PRS counters at railway stations will also need to provide their Aadhaar number. Verification will again take place using OTP authentication. This means it is now essential for every traveler to have their mobile number linked to Aadhaar.
Impact on Passengers
While the move may cause some inconvenience initially for passengers who have yet to update their accounts, railway officials believe the long-term benefits outweigh the hurdles. With reduced misuse of the system, genuine travelers will find it easier to secure general reservation tickets.
Experts also point out that linking Aadhaar ensures greater transparency in India’s ticketing system and will reduce the dominance of middlemen and touts who have long exploited passengers.
Final Word
The Aadhaar-based ticketing system marks a significant step towards making Indian Railways more secure and passenger-friendly. While the initial verification process may require some effort from travelers, the end result is expected to create a fairer, faster, and more transparent reservation system.
For now, passengers are advised to link their Aadhaar with their IRCTC accounts as soon as possible to avoid disruptions in booking. With the festive travel season ahead, this rule is likely to have a wide-reaching impact on millions of travelers across the country.
